TOGETHER AT LAST, MY LOVE

Together At Last, My Love

Mom and I lived on Oahu Island for seven years in a town called Kailua. It’s well known for it’s white, soft, sandy beaches, which was perfect because we both loved to swim. Especially mom, whose name, by the way, was Star. She was 47 years old today, and I just bet you’re wondering why her name was Star. My grandmother gave birth to her under the stars, and one particular star (grandpa said it is called Sirius) shined the brightest, and Star was born. Needless to say, she was a very special lady sent from the heavens above.

She and Dad met in NYC, and were married on May 12, 1997. Mom was a professional swimmer in her much earlier years, and did aqua musicals. She loved the water & swam very gracefully. Dad was a producer, and mostly worked with the Soap Operas on TV. They were both quite busy until I came along on June 10th, 2000. Even though I was not born under the stars, my parents gave me a lovely name. My name is Elora, and in Greek, it means “sun rays.”

Mom and dad were very close. You wouldn’t see one without the other, and when he passed, she was totally devastated. She lost interest in everything, including her swimming. This is why we left NYC. The change was much needed, and sunshine sounded wonderfully warm.

Mom’s wardrobe was quite the Hawaiian style. She actually had a nice little figure and wore long lightweight, bright colored dresses, and she always wore the golden heart (with one emerald in the center) around her neck that dad bought her. It was her birthstone, but, it had special meaning to them, which was their secret.

I had my job and friends to hang out with, but Star was my dearest friend. It took quite awhile, but I finally got her to the beach, and before I knew it, she was back in the water swimming and loving it. She was magnificent to watch, with the grace of a swan.

We found a secluded beach that she loved the most. No one but us in the ocean. Sometimes, just her because I would prefer sun only days. We made one final move, and made this lovely beach our backyard. There had been a deserted little cottage just up the hill. It had been for sale for quite some time. Well, Star had to have it, and this beach, which we called “ʻelua puʻuwai,” meaning “two hearts,” became ours.

Time passed, and she grew older, but always managed that one swim a day, and always said that it was for “two hearts” that she swam. Dads & hers. How she loved him still. If only I was as lucky to find my soulmate. One day, maybe one day.

On the morning of the first day of summer, I went to mom’s room, but she wasn’t there. I called out to her several times in the house, but received no reply. I checked the bathroom, living room, kitchen, went upstairs and checked all the bedrooms, but she was not in the house. Maybe an early morning stroll along the beach. As I made my way to the back door, I saw her in the ocean, floating on her back. Was she just relaxing…….OR…..NOOOOO!!!!!! I ran out and swam to her, and she was gone. Gone from this world. Her beautiful brightly colored dress floating all around her as was her lovely gray hair. On her face was the slightest hint of a smile. Shaken and in tears, I brought her to the beach, and as I got her out of the water, there, a few feet away was her golden necklace with the emerald in the center. Alongside of it, was another. How odd, but that, too, was a heart with a blue sapphire in it. This was unbelievable. My father wore it often. It was HIS birthstone. I turned it over and it read, “Together at Last My Love.” I was stunned.

Days later, I found her diary. The first page revealed the secret of the pendants. The secret they held in their hearts all these years. The remainder of the pages were actually a countdown to the day she left this world and entered his! The day they would be together once again. “Together at Last My Love.”