Journey from the Ocean to the Sky

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What breath I inhale when I think on this place I am in, this Maui home in Makena. Our family has held sacred moments here on many occasions. We have been married, we have baptized our children and perhaps conceived one of them on this island we love. For me, this place has a fifteen year memory, including time space when my Grandfather walked on the sands of Polo Beach and sat on the stone bench outlooking toward Wailea Bay. On the "Horizon" spread, there is imagery cut and paste from one special trip I'd like to reflect on for the first time here.
In 1996, I was in Maui, awaiting the arrival of my family, before my husband and children. My dear housemate Kim was with me, and Morris was staying at 101. I remember elements of the stay, we were having fun!

Then, I received a phone call from my dad with news that my Grandpa had gone into a comma with a brain aneurysm while packing, my Grandma had found him and he was in the hospital unconscious and dying. Then, he died and my family went into mourning and calling on all our family to gather in LA.

I prepared to return for the funeral in a few days, and mourned in Maui.

I dove deeply into the waves
and spoke to the sunsets as I waded in the ocean colors.

I listened and offered many prayers to many
and thanked those around me for sharing the rainy space.

dancers pasted in from Maui

When I look at HORIZON JoURNEY, I am aware of that connected space
and I dive once again into the melting colors of ocean and sky and word.

I pasted many things during that time I feel
and I cut a few here and there with my sharp razor blade.

these dancers they laid to protect something sweet,
and I let in their graceful, calm gestures with a lulling dark sleep.

When I returned by plane carrying long maile
and wearing flowing blue, I joined my family from all relations.

I held my grandmothers hand
and heard my uncle cry one huge sob.

Later, my grandmother told me the lei
over casket was a caressing soft hug for her eyes.

And now, in zbook,I have once again found time to reflect
and collect and dive into a space beyond my everyday knowing.

I am grateful beyond senses out
to come into this place, now again, with my grandma and whole family.

to soak in the ocean salt
and laugh loud with my children,

and hold hands with my husband
and walk in the sand with my grandma.

Blessings on your days,
ALoha, -J. Gould