Pu'ili . . . embrace each other

Welina me ke aloha e nā hoa makamaka! Today's words is Pū'ili, which means to embrace, clasp, hold tightly. As I contemplate how fragile life is the word pū'ili is good reminder for us on many levels. First, the translation to embrace. We should embrace each other more often. We can begin by embracing those close to us more often and then extend our reach a bit and embrace those around us who are alone or who need to feel our arms around them. We should embrace life, with it's ups and downs, joy and sorrow. Life is what me make of it and we can choose to have an attitude of gratitude or to be bitter and full of resent. Second, let's consider the translation to hold tightly. We must hold tightly to the things that matter most - 'ohana, our family, keiki, our children, kūpuna, our elders, hoa aloha, our friends. These are the things that matter most and so we hold them close and grasp them tightly. Finally, let's look at the translation to clasp. When I think of the word clasp I think of jewelry. The clasp is what fastens the piece together. When we're wearing a necklace or bracelet, the clasp keeps it from falling off and being lost. This action directly applies to our 'ohana. We truly must pū'ili, clasp our families together. There is so much opposition in the world and much of it is directed to our families. Like a clasp that holds together our most precious gold and silver, we must keep our precious families bonded, close, connected and prevent them from falling apart and being lost. See how one word in our language can inspire such contemplation. What a wonderful reminder for us all. E pū'ili kākou kekahi i kekahi - may we all embrace each other, hold our loved ones close and clasp our families together here in this life and in the life to come. ke Akua pū, aloha nō, a hui hou!

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