Today Salt Lake City was quite the gloomy day. "Tis the season" was really a day of clouds and rain. For some reason I awoke pretty early with the intentions of traveling to work, to put in my standard eight hours, and to make my standard pay. OK "standard" was not the right word. I so love my job and "not anyone can do it" is how I like to look at it. As you probably know the scenario, I didn't make it in today.
I found myself traveling into West Bountiful to a store called American Cowboy who specializes in farming items, and for the lack of better words "HORSE STUFF". As I and a friend entered into the front door of this establishment, I noticed three gentlemen standing in a huddle like form, blocking the walk way, and conversating. The three men stop their visiting amongst one another and looked directly towards myself and my friend. For a brief moment, which felt like an eternity, theirs eyes some what pierced through me. I know the thought in their minds...Why are there two brown girls here? There is nothing here for them? That one looks like a "Tongan" with flip flops in the winter, don't Tongan's eat horses? Have they lost their way?
My memories took me back to a time in 1979 or maybe 1980, when my travels brought me here to Utah as a very young child. I remembered the feeling that I had arriving into Salt Lake City. It took me back to the questions I asked myself then. Why are we the only brown people around? Why am I here in this foreign place? Have we lost our way?
The answer was pretty easy, I mean the answers for the three men. It was so simple, I wanted to just shout it out, I am not lost! I am here for something specific. I am here to get some cream that horses use for sore muscles, yes I know what some of you are thinking. I don't have horses. Well your right, it was for my use. I know it is not intended for human use. I saw in bold writing on the back of the label. That's why I was there. It was that simple.
But for the question I asked myself when I arrived here in Utah as a child, well it is still being answered as years go by. Some of those answers came during my early youth and I still get answers as I get older. I know you probably thought that I had some kind of serious answers or maybe something so spiritual, but I don't. Simple answers to such complex question.
My thoughts always end with my family and the love I have for them. Many thanks go to them for answering a lot of my questions. I also cannot forget my love I have for my Island of Hawai'i. Like Justin said: "Holidays bring me home, my appreciation has grown, warmer waters, smaller ponds, but some things here circle on. Sometimes I reach to meet the clouds, but I always keep one foot on the ground. ~and away on distant lands, I always keep one foot on sand~
Rhodaann Maamakalafi
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