Dedicated to my father!

PERSONA To My Father

A pillar of strength

TAIGAGA FA’AMŌ’AGA,

patient, wise, humble and just

the foundation of my life

who was afraid of doctors and needles

dreamt of seeing love and peace in the world

lives in my heart…..forever

PALEPOI

Remebering Dad! 

My heart sank deeply as I stared at you

lying helplessly on that tiny and uncomfortable hospital bed.

Once you were the foundation of our family

You gave us firm grounds to stand on

While mom was more the “sage on the stage”,

you were our “guide on the side”,

You mentored and guided us through life

You carried us through tough times

You helped us cry

You laughed with us at our mistakes

and you always kept us grounded.

To the extended family you were the magnet

that held everyone together.

You were the strong link of the family chain.

In times of quarrel you were the peacemaker.

In sorrow you were the comforter.

In sadness you were the comedian.

You were the ice that tamed the fire.

You were the love that defeated selfishness

You approached challenges with unbiased eyes.

You’ve taught me to put my trust in GOD

and never in man.

But now you are gone.

Go! Go forth and meet your maker!

And rest assured you have taught us well.

You have left your footprints clear enough for us to follow

You have paved the way for us.

Rest assured we know the value of hard work

Rest assured we know the importance of love.

Rest assured we feel the warmth and safety

of the closely knit family you built for us.

Rest assured we will be the scaffold for each other

Rest assured we will live your life.

I will look at your favorite niece

And learn from her struggles

I will follow the example she has set

to forgive and forget 

and kill all unkindness with love

I will look at your favorite nephew

And learn from him as well,

the importance of knowing

who I am, my identity

I will look at the life you led

And remember that the most important things in life

Are PEACE & LOVE!!