As we all know we can make the hiccups pass with a nice, long, cool drink of water. That usually works.

In Pat’s case it came in the form of a…nephew’s weekend wedding.

Wanted to let you know it was a pretty good weekend.

Although Dennis is still in the hospital [due to his having had a stroke]…he’ll likely be released tomorrow (Monday). …Brad and I stopped to visit on Saturday afternoon before heading to Ramsey’s wedding.

Yes, despite all the trials and tribulations thrown our way, life goes on.

Dennis must be feeling better because he told Brad he’ll probably have a few days off so he’s going  to call him to go fishing. When Brad asked if he could hold a fishing pole, Dennis replied…not yet but he’s working on it.

[Hugmamma here: That’s Dennis! Nothing will keep him from the fish he loves to catch and eat.]

It’s a good sign that Dennis remembers everything. I think he needs to rest to regain his strength.

Having Jen [his daughter, a nurse] hovering over Dennis was reassuring. One of the nurses attending him was a family friend. She comes from a big family just like ours. Because of that, we all went to school with one of the siblings. Malia was a year or two younger than me. An older sister of hers is one of Julie’s [Pat’s sister} closest friends.

After visiting with Dennis, we drove out to the west side of the island for Ramsey’s wedding. 

It was a beautiful ceremony in a gorgeous setting. 

Just the thing I…maybe we all…needed.

It was good to reconnect with everyone. I hadn’t seen most of them since our family meeting where I told them about my diagnosis. So it was nice to be able to talk with them in person, and let them know that I’m doing okay.

Everything was held outdoors. A spectacular sunset was the perfect backdrop.

Of course the Hawaiian food was ono…Hawaiian for “yummy delicious!” There were additional choices, however, since the bride’s family had flown in from Montana.

Uncle Dennis usually makes the poke…a Hawaiian delicacy of raw tuna fish, seaweed, and seasonings. However Cousin Eric and his wife, Nicole, provided it for the wedding.

I actually managed to eat enough kalua [roasted] pig, poi [a Hawaiian starch made from taro root], and sweet potato to fill me up. 

Hawaiian music was playing, while hula girls danced.

Bride Lauren gave her unique, Bird-of-Paradise, floral bouquet away in pieces, which was pretty cool. She gave one piece to her grandmother, the only grandparent who made it to the wedding. Another piece was given to her mother for being so supportive throughout. The remaining two pieces were given to both Ramsey’s mom and step-mom for welcoming Lauren into their families. They were her “moms” since her own lived so far away.

Back to reality…I went shopping at Whole Foods today. Bought some unfamiliar ingredients to make almond muffins. I’ll let you know how they turn out. It’s from a book given to me by a friend. The Cancer Fighting Kitchen has a lot of recipes that look pretty good.

I plan on going in to work tomorrow after my blood test…the start of another week. 

Just taking it one step at a time.

Talk again soon.

…love always, pat.

…and we love you too.

………hugmamma.