Kauai Reunion

We knew the news wasn’t good. Mom’s cancer had come back, and none of us wanted to spend time wondering what to do next. So we just went. Three weeks in Kauai—Mom and Step-Dad, my brother and me, and our aunt and uncle who flew in from Wisconsin.

We woke up way too early our first morning to catch the sunrise on the Coconut Coast. Took a helicopter tour that dipped into craters and hovered over waterfalls—we screamed like kids. Ate the freshest seafood I’ve ever had… and when we needed a break, we hit Burger King.

My brother and I spent hours in the surf. We laughed so much that people actually thought we were engaged. Oh, we corrected them right away!

Mom absolutely loved the Smith’s Family Luau in Kapa‘a. She was in her element—happy, open, taking it all in.

But what I remember most is the afternoon cruise along the Nā Pali Coast. Her hair blowing in the breeze, her face turned toward the sun. She looked so at peace. So herself.

For a little while, we weren’t waiting or worrying. We were just a family—together.  

When you’re ready to hold space for what really matters, we’re here to help.