Paradise Remembered

For more than a week now I’ve been in disbelief over the devastation in Maui. Hurricanes, floods, tornados, and natural disasters happen all over the world every year. Every loss of life, every home destroyed, is a tragedy. Like many my thoughts and prayers go out to these families trying to rebuild their lives. I cannot imagine the hardship and pain they go through.

For some reason that I cannot explain, however, what happened in Maui was particularly poignant. Although it shouldn’t matter, but maybe the reason is because I’ve actually been there? I’ve been on Front Street. I’ve stayed in Lahaina. I have walked the streets and roamed Whalers Village. My visit was pre-pandemic, yes, but I recall my time there vividly, specifically, as if it had all happened yesterday. Seeing the news photos, seeing the smoldering ashes of places I have walked through is almost unfathomable to me. I posed for pictures along the Front Street break wall where people jumped into the sea to avoid the relentless pursuit of the flames. None of these news reports can reconcile with my memory of what it looked like before.

I just want to express that my thoughts and prayers are with everyone that is affected by this tragedy, and I think of the wonderful people of Lahaina everyday. God’s speed.

#MauiStrong