Book 1 - Chapter 5

LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON

It's late in the year 2002. The apartment they're now sharing is up for its lease renewal. Michael has another plan.

“What if I join the Army? I’d get through basic training and send for you when I'm stationed? It'd be a bit of a journey— being separated by land and sea, but we have to visualize the end-game. I’d be willing to go through the riff-raff and troubles. It would be worth it. I've always wanted to join the service. What do you think, babe'?”

“I can appreciate the big picture. We'd be able to travel and show the mainland how Hawai’ians love life.”

Anuhea' agrees charismatically because she is already been aware of his full intentions to join the armed forces. She'd grown used to him being close and kissable. Michael had no way of knowing how much his work shifts turned into hours of torment for Anuhea'. All she could think about now was the time away she'd have to suffer through. She loves him dearly. She adores everything about him. They sit and talk about every detail and came to a conclusion.

“Before the end of the apartment lease, we could get married in a simple courthouse ceremony. Then we can go live with mother. You’d love the Waipahu community where I Anuhea' grew up.”

“That sounds like a great idea, babe.”

“After I’m shipped to basic training, all you would be doing is waiting out the training portion of my enlistment.”

Michael is absolutely right. He’d be stationed somewhere in the United States, sign up to receive B.A.Q. (basic allowance for quarters) and he'd quickly lease any apartment off post. Send for his family is the standard of what most soldiers do. This all sounds like an easy plan. It is solid and has very little chance of running into stumbling blocks along the way.

Just as planned they had their small courthouse ceremony. The two are officially married and Anuhea' is satisfied. Now that they're married, neither of them notice anything spectacular about it. Nothing had really changed. The documents didn't decree them any more in love than they know they are. These two were already doing, living and feeling for each other in ways married people (often) fail to feel for each other. None-the-less the apartment lease had expired and Anuhea's mother was overjoyed that she could have this time to bond with her granddaughter (Michelle) before Anuhea' was to be stationed on the mainland. Michael went down to the Pearl Harbor M.E.P.S. (Military Entrance and Processing Station) where he signed up for the armed services. At the recruitment office Michael's A.S.V.A.B. test score is high and he's offered a military career as a signal support systems specialist (a.k.a. “31U”). This caused him much joy because job is designated to be a non-combat arms M.O.S. (Military Occupational Specialty). When Anuhea' heard the details of this she would sleep even better at night. However, this came at a hefty price for the young wife. The recruiter had also told Michael to enjoy the next several days with his family because he had occurred orders to be shipped off to Fort Jackson, South Carolina. Eight weeks of basic training awaits him there. After he graduates from the 8 weeks of basic training, he'd be shipped to the Fort Gordon Signal Center in Augusta, Georgia. There, he's scheduled for an additional four and a half months of A.I.T. (Advanced Individual Training). It's explained to him that this training is required for him to receive the schooling and government clearance he needs as the signal support specialist he signed up for. All this was good and bad news to Anuhea' but she promised herself that she'd suffer missing him only after he had shipped off. Now was not the time to cry and be discouraged.

“Everything's gonna' be ok babe'. I promise.”

“I understand. You do what you have to do and we'll be here waiting.”

Deep down, she accepted that Michael was only doing what he's been desiring to do. Anuhea' respected how her husband was now doing it for the family he loved. If he's content, so should she be.

Meanwhile, the next several days are spent at Anuhea's mother's Waipahu residence. Everyone is excited about the venture that awaits their deserving kindred’s. Although everything was going as planned, Anuhea' tried not to think about the space and time that would soon separate her from her lover. Michael was shipped on schedule and his basic training was accompanied by a weekly stream of handwritten letters. He finished on schedule as an exemplary E-1 private. While his family and goals motivated him, his level of fitness was the help that got him through the morning runs and physical fitness courses. Michael graduated from the Fort Jackson basic training brigade and acquired his orders to attend the Fort Gordon Signal Center in Augusta Georgia. Anuhea' missed him greatly, but she`s patient and had confidence that this would be all worth it.

It is 4.5 months later and Michael has successfully graduated from the Fort Gordon Signal Center as an official signal support systems specialist. He has proudly earned his signal corps affiliation status. Michael graduated and was issued orders to be stationed at the 101rst Airborne Air Assault Infantry Division at Fort Campbell. Now he finally knew where his family would reside. News got back to a very anxious Anuhea' and it was 'about damn time' [her words]. It tickles Michael to hear his wife say this over the phone because he'd been thinking the exact same thing.

He finally arrives at Fort Campbell wearing the rank E-2 proudly. After promptly filing his marital status Michael is issued a 2-story, 3-bedroom Townhome. It's on the military base, more than enough space and perfect for him and his young family.

A total of 8 months from Michael's enlistment day, Anuhea and baby Michelle arrived by plane. She'd never flown on the behemoths that commanded the Hawaiian airways. He's wearing his issued class-A uniform when he met Anuhea' and baby in the air terminal. He's slightly thinner and a tad bit lighter since the Hawaiian tan left his skin long ago. The three are shuttled through the 101st's main gate and straight to their military housing unit. The happiness that filled the half empty resident was beyond any expectation. This was earned. This moment was the start of a young family that had every reason to be content.

It's already nearing 2004 and the Oshun family is thriving. Baby Michelle is 3yrs old— which is hardly a baby at all. Healthy, smiling and still extremely observational and already practicing what most adults have long lost; ‘PRESENCE’. In the small backyard, Michelle spots a purple coneflower. She bends at the knees to study it closely. Michelle stares at the flower as if she's expecting it to walk away. Michelle ran off to get the shovel from the small closet and begins to gently remove the flower from the dirt. She manages to keep its delicate roots intact and in the dirt. As Michelle stands up, one hand is holding the dirt that contains the roots while the other hand is holding the flower.

“Mom! Look what I got.”

“Oh. How beautiful! It's a coneflower. You're dropping dirt all over the carpet, baby. Let me knock the dirt off the roots.”

As Anuhea' reaches for the roots, Michelle panics and starts to scream frantically.

“No momma! No! You can't!”

“What do you mean I can't? I'm just going to get the nasty dirt off.”

“No, no! You can't, Ok?”

Michelle is in an uproar and refuses to let go of the dirt-covered roots]

“Why not, baby?”

“You don't understand.”

She's still crying uncontrollably. Anuhea' has hit some-what of a sensitive spot in Michelle.

“You'll hurt it.” she says with a conviction more reasonable for protecting a puppy.

“Michelle, calm down. I don't mean to upset you.”

“It's not a coneflower. It's alive like us. If you take the dirt away, it will suffer and die.”

Anuhea' has always had a soft spot for seeing her baby cry. It's very rare that Michelle ever got this angry or disapproving. The display of sincerity forced a tear from Anuhea's eye.

“Michelle, I'm sorry. You're absolutely right.”

Inwardly, Anuhea' is hiding how perplexed she is with a big smile. Her daughter has just used a word she'd never heard her say. She begins pondering to herself. Suffering. Where'd such a word come from? …Television? …Possible. …A plant suffering? Michelle is too worried about the flower to interrogate.

“I'm just gonna' put it back where I found it. Ok?”

Michelle let a final sniffle rid her of the anxiety her mother caused. She continues.

“I don't want to worry about it, so I'll put it back.” she admits, half into her turn towards the back door.

This little soul is in a rush to get the flower to safety. She recognized how much better she'd when it was back outside. When she returned 30 minutes later, it was obvious she spent time in fresh dirt. Her little knees and hands are covered in it.

“Michelle, you feel better now?”

“Yes. I put it back. Can we have ice cream?”

"Of course we can, sweetie."

Michelle smiles at Anuhea' in total forgiveness. All is well now and her heart only knows how to love without begrudging. At her young age, Michelle's wide, soft, caramel eyes have a way of looking straight into the souls of people. This is especially strangers. Unfamiliar people who got close enough to get a look into this toddler's eyes (metaphorically speaking) are ‘stopped at the front door’. It`s hard to explain how Michelle is a master at gazing straight into the souls of people. Babies and young toddlers have always been known for this type of behavioral “study habit”. It’s a fact that most toddlers try to study the faces of strangers. However, with Michelle this felt different. Michelle isn't only studying the face. She's searching behind the eyes. It`s reminiscent of when two adults are interested in each other and use their eyes to communicate this. It`s focused energy that seems to focus the energy in others. It’s ken to pure intent of communicating something or scanning for something specific. But what was Michelle saying? What was this toddler trying to vibe from these strangers? Anuhea' usually ends up apologizing when Michelle's “studying” was followed by her lack of any expression. It was rare, but every now and again Michelle wouldn't break the gaze at all. Although she seemed to be empty of any judgment taking place, these moments often leaves the one being observed a bit embarrassed— having to smile off the miscommunication. Michael also witnesses this behavior from Michelle although not nearly as much as Anuhea'.

Although young Michelle walks well enough, she still prefers to ride in the stroller. When out-and-about, she'd stop to study something and cause Anuhea' to “wake her”. The stroller was also a way that Michelle could see something without her forward progress being impeded. Even in their resident there was a lot to study and she didn`t want to miss any of it. Michael was also noticing how baby Michelle never experienced with running. She's never in a rush to get from any point to the next.

Today is another day and Anuhea' just finished dressing baby Michelle for shopping at the A.A.F.E.S. (Army Air Force Exchange Station), but Anuhea' would get her first real sign that Michelle was different. As they headed for the front door 3yr old Michelle stops at the door and begun to have a [standing] panic attack. She isn't acting irate or anything like that, but Anuhea' thought it odd to see her baby breathing as if she wanted to cry. It was more disturbing to see how the child wouldn't allow herself to. It`s also very odd to see how in control she is of her distress. The (usually behaved) little one is absolutely refusing to follow Anuhea' through the door. Nunu' holds out her hand and asks the toddler a question.

“Are you coming?”

Michelle is staring pass Anuhea' and into the distance. Her breathing is worsening as her attention is focused on the world behind mom.

“What's wrong Michelle?” Anuhea' asks the 3yr-old.

She isn't expecting much of any answer. She only asked in her attempt to get Michelle's attention. Perhaps calm her down. Michelle speaks in a controlled outpour.

“I don't want to' go out there… Not yet.”

Anuhea' is impressed with the way Michelle spoke in a complete sentence. It would've been untimely celebrating under these circumstances.

“Why?” she asks Michelle.

She continues.

“Ummm… When I'm ready ok?”

Michelle's conviction is deep with emotion and is causing tears to form in Anuhea's eyes. She's celebrating Michelle's language skills while she is (at the same time) feeling Michelle's deep reluctance all at once. Anuhea' came to stand next to Michelle and got on one knee. She looks Michelle right in her caramel colored eyes and slowly asks a simple question.

“What's wrong Michelle?”

The toddler stands quietly continuing to breath disturbingly as Anuhea' decides to disregard the thought that she's actually talking to a small toddler.

“Talk to me Michelle.”

She's now pleading with her daughter in an adult tone of maturity. Michelle finally looks Anuhea' straight into her eyes and speaks in [still] a trembling little voice.

“You go and I'll stay. Ok?”

Anuhea' has a natural soft spot for seeing Michelle's eyes filled with tears. It's such a rare occurrence that she has a natural inclination to do whatever she could to help settle her beloved. She responded.

“Ok Michelle.”

Michelle continues.

“I disagree with too much...”

Anuhea' interrupts.

“...But you're gonna' have to come outside eventually Mimi'!”

The sweet half-panicked toddler sniffles through her reply.

“I know. …Just not now. Ok?”

Although she's in better control of her breathing, she still hadn't stepped through the doorway. This little girl is displaying her first application of stubbornness—a very unmovable kind of stubbornness. Later into the evening Nunu' is watching Michelle feed herself confidently and chose this moment to ask Michelle the question that had been burning in her all day.

“You don't like going outside. What's going on sweetie'? What were you scared of?”

Young Michelle's answer raised more questions than answers.

“I wasn't crying because I was scared. I cried because I care.”

Anuhea' struggles for clarification, but Michelle just shrugs her small shoulders through the remainder of the interrogation. Just that quick, Michelle returns to being hardly a talker. It's at this point Anuhea' has a revelation about her daughter. All this time Michelle's lack of chit-chatter isn't because she couldn't talk, it was because she is steadfast stubborn about choosing not to.

A TODDLERS WISDOM

Baby Michelle is now 3 and one half years of age. This is a semi-talkative year for this toddler. It's also a very confusing year for her proud parents. It seemed like on a weekly basis, Michelle would turn into someone she couldn't be—someone much older—someone with much more in her than her own parents had any capacity to describe.

Anuhea' is playing with Michelle on the master bedrooms' queen size mattress. Jumping on it proved to be good fun and quality girl-time. Oddly enough, it's Anuhea that initiated the “daddy's away” festivity. Michael had witnessed Michelle doing it in her room and spoke against it. Well, whenever he was away, Anuhea' and young Michelle spent several minutes jumping on the master bed. Its playful defiance was a show of girl power and created a hush-hush bond between the two ladies. The level of laughter was partly spawned from its necessity of dysfunctional trust and “hush” between the girls.

After this particular pastime, they're out of breath as usual. The joy of laughing had been achieved when Anuhea' chose this moment to get sentimental.

“If I would be content more with life, we would jump on this bed together forever.”

Michelle answers back unexpectedly and with a parable that stuttered Anuhea's jovial hospitality.

“It's life that's pressing to be more content with us.”

Anuhea' is very aware that Michelle is talking less and less with every week that goes by. Moments like this proved helpful for encouraging little Michelle to speak.

“Go ahead sista! Preach it like you feel it!”

Michelle continues to naturally reciprocate her mother’s excitement.

“Contentment is the highest gain, good company the highest course, inquiry the highest wisdom and peace the highest enjoyment!”

Inwardly, Anuhea' is absolutely without words, but she had to think fast to react passive. Although Anuhea' heard every word clearly, she wants confirmation.

“What? Say what you just said again.”

But Michelle did not say it again. Instead, she laughs it off. Did she forget what she just said? Had something else taken control of this child for a moment? Has the wisdom of a past-life surfaced just long enough to speak through her? One thing is for sure, there's been plenty of these kinds of occurrences this year. Michelle had only one more thing to suggest.

“Ice cream...”

It's a battle cry this loving mother is glad to accommodate.

“Let's get some ice cream!” she responds comically.

As they indulge, Anuhea' tries not to make it so obvious that she's thinking about it while she eats her strawberry ice-cream, but Michelle's words kept playing back in Anuhea's ears. It sounded like a riddle. A poem she was reciting. It was obviously neither. It came from a deeper source.

It's been two weeks and Michelle is napping with Anuhea' while Michael is away with his family. Michelle and Anuhea' lay in bed facing each other admiring each other's eyes. As Michelle starts to fade away to sleep, Anuhea' speaks softly to herself.

“If there is anything worthy of my worship it is you that came from me. If I was forced to worship a god or a king, your heart would be the destination of my prayers...”

Before she could go on chanting beautiful sentiments of admiration to her half-asleep toddler, she's interrupted. Michelle's eyes are already closed when she matches the softness of Anuhea's voice and began to speak.

“A fool is worshipped at his home. A chief is worshipped in his town. A king is worshipped in his kingdom. It's the knowledgeable person who's worshipped everywhere and forever.”

The room was quiet enough for Anuhea' to have heard every word that came from this child's mouth. She begins to cry in disbelief. There is a slight anger growing in Anuhea' too for why Michelle would not demonstrate her brilliance when her father was around? Anytime Michael was close, she's slow to speak. Only when “Mommy” was around did this little jewel speak in parables that would shake every fiber of Anuhea. They'd be things that no typical toddler would express. What made Anuhea' grow frustrated (in the days that followed) knowing this. Michelle and Michael continue to laugh days away. Their time together was just as necessary for a great day as the sun. So it isn't personal that Michelle did more laughing than speaking when daddy was around. She loved him more than anything. There was just no mention from Michael about Michelle ever exercising philosophical tendencies. No mention from daddy witnessing daughter spout like an esteemed poet. Interesting how “Mom” managed to get impressive sentences out of this child (though few) who is growing less talkative by the month. Perhaps she's exchanging her speech for her new talent to squelch! This beautiful, intelligent child has recently developed a very high pitched squelch when she gets excited. It started a short while ago while daddy' was chasing her through the house. It sounded like a loud, quick burst of a disruptive scream. It's definitely throat-based. No child of any age should be capable of this kind of squelch without doing injuring to their throat or vocal chords but Michelle did, and does it well. It took some getting use too. Even the neighboring units thought they had a serious cause for concern when these dramatic outbursts first started happening. It took them observing Michelle “SQUEECH” while she was playfully running from daddy (in the front grassy area), before the neighbors were confidant it meant all is exceptionally well. The neighbors learned to appreciate when they hear this squelch.

It's another quiet night in the community. Anuhea' is lying in bed with Michelle. She's had some questions brewing in her, but had no one to ask for answers. She realizes how Michelle hasn't been speaking as much as she used to. While daughter-dearest was starting to fall asleep, Anuhea' throws her questions to the wind. They aren't necessarily questions she wanted Michelle to answer. She only wants Michelle's ears to subconsciously hear her asking.

“Why do your words leave you? Where do they rest? What is it about you that forces me to feel so alive? When I'm around you, I feel so balanced. How is this? Why is this?”

Just as she's asking these questions, Michelle answers without ever opening her eyes.

“The perfect echo introduces the only form of immortality that nature knows.”

Anuhea' is shocked and surprised because she thought Michelle was sleeping. She desperately wants to understand what she has heard and whispers into Michelle's ears.

“What about immortality? What do you mean?”

Before she nods off into an unresponsive sleep, Michelle's next response is unbelievable.

"As it pertains to meditation, relaxation is conductivity. Hosting a big aura is life over death. Environment plays a role. Every molecule wants to live. Molecules made of natural materials support big aura."

Bewildered; Anuhea' eventually allows herself to stop thinking about Michelle's words long enough to fall asleep.

It's the next morning and she wakes up to realize Michelle is missing from the house.

“Babe' have you seen Michelle?”

“No, I haven't Nunu'. Is everything alright?”

She went to find Michelle for breakfast, but she's missing. Anuhea’ begins to panic frantically.

“Michelle? Where are you? Michelle?”

It`s only when she decides to check the backyard that she finds Michelle's lying on her back and motionless in the center of the open grassy area. Anuhea’ panics.

“Oh, my god! Michelle? Are you ok?”

When she reached Michelle, their eyes met and Michelle smiles. She's ok. She isn't harmed or hurting. Turns out, she was just laying on her back in the backyard—observing the sky and watching the clouds pass by.

“Michelle, I thought you were hurt. Oh my! Don't scare me.”

“Oh, you found her. Is she alright?”

“Yeah, she`s o.k.” she sighs in obvious relief.

She takes time to admire the simple things in life. There’s no doubt in my mind that this is a special child.

MICHELLE'S FIRST DANCE

There are so many other aspects of this special love child that had already made curtain calls. How much more could be in this small one that has yet to be enjoyed? This evening the family was playing board games together. Michael felt jovial and wants to [once again] enjoy a ritual he and Michelle did almost weekly before Michelle was born. He turns the radio knob to a popular dance station for some silly dancing.

“It's been a while since we danced ourselves silly Nunu.”

She smiles because she knows what he's asking. Only this time would be different because they had an audience. Previously this was a private ritual to celebrate their lack of ego, love and laugh (between themselves). Anuhea' looks at Michelle and calculates how much their daughter would enjoy the theatrics of it.

“Ah, what the hell...”

As Anuhea' stood to join Michael, they both stand waiting for the next song to start. As soon as it did, the dancing began. They're absolutely and joyfully uncoordinated. The bright-eyed love-child is content to be watching their displays of unfamiliar mannerisms. Michelle's smile is automatic. She observing her daddy and mommy be sillier than she'd ever witnessed her parents to be. This is a new playful scene that Michelle wasn't going to' sit and settle for watching any longer. It looks like too much fun to pass up. Half way through the song (and well into the lovers laughing embarrassingly), Michelle stood to her little feet and joined the fun. She (too) started dancing. Michelle's feet seemed to be inseparable as she jumped up and down in a stomping gesture. She's stomping rigorously while studying her own feet—totally unplugged from noticing Anuhea' and Michael watching her.

“She's a natural.” Anuhea' says.

All three are almost completely out of breath, filling the room with a silliness, uncoordinated dance moves and outrageous gut busting laughter. Michelle caught on to the rules quickly as she dances and laughs simultaneously. They're laughing so hard that tears ran down their faces. *BANG, BANG, BANG. The neighbors are not so pleased and banged on the walls for asking them to lower the commotion. All three of the dancers freeze. They hear the banging and decid to slam onto the couch together—still laughing ridiculously. It never failed to be a great time. Michael gets the credit for its genius plot to invoke childishness. This ritual now had a third participant. Michelle now had a new appreciation for the joy of dancing.

A week has gone by. Michael is noticing the apartment seems extra quiet. When he opens the door to the bedroom, he notices Anuhea' is lying next to Michelle on their bed. Usually the baby was laid to sleep comfortably in her room that is situated next to their own. Anuhea' isn't facing the doorway to see Michael standing there casting his shadow from the hallway lighting. She's content studying the face of their baby girl. She's in the rhythm of Michelle's breathing. Michael's curious.

“Babe, you ok?”

“Yeah, I'm fine. I'm just being a girl.”

Anuhea's hand is the only thing moving. She's softly stroking the hair of the sleeping toddler. Still, she can feel Michael looking at her from the doorway.

“Isn't she beautiful?”

She wants him to know what she's thinking. She desires to invite him into the moment.

“You're both beautiful to me Nunu. You're both magical.”

“I'm a mommy. You're a daddy. We made her. This is all so amazing.”

Michael is sensing the raw emotions in her sincere voice and decides to enter the room. He kneels bedside on his knees, places a single hand on Anuhea's waist and whispers in her ears.

“You know what Nunu? I still stay awake sometimes to watch you while you sleep. In those moments, I feel like the luckiest man alive. Now I have two women in my life that I can appreciate while they sleep. Words can't explain how much I love my life— my girls.”

As he expresses his sentiments, Nunu smiles and allows tears to quietly flow from her eyes. As a young child, Michelle is unusually quiet. It`s only at night (when Anuhea' finds her bundle of joy asleep) that Anuhea’ catches Michelle having some interesting communion with a non-apparent visitor.

"Heat is disorder. Cold is inductive of increased order, Meg Entropy. That’s the reason TIME REVEARSAL has its limits. What limit? … Order, silly. You know that. Even I will be? Really? Oh. I understand. I'll sustain my point of maximum order? Oh! When I get older, perfected wave compression is how I will stay at my point of maximum order and can never revert to being as I am at this time."

Michael and Anuhea' just listen and try to make sense of the mumbles.

“Did you hear that?” she whispers to Michael who is speechless”

“Yeah. Wow. I can listen to her mumble all night.”

Anuhea’ finishes his sentiments without her eyes leaving the toddler.

“…Even if I can’t understand what world she's dreaming of.”

They sit for a few more minutes. None of what Michelle has mumbled is understood. It didn’t matter. Michael loves and appreciates his wife as much as his beautiful bride loves the mumbling life she gave birth to. There's nothing that can cause this happy home to feel unordinary in any way. Their bonds are fortified. This trinity is truly forever. As Anuhea' lay there facing Michelle, Michael kisses her before he leaves the room. He understands she still has some “appreciating” left to do. He has plans to “appreciate” her in their own bedroom. As it turns out, it`s not feeling “girly” that has Anuhea' mesmerized about her daughter. She's in a spiritual moment of presence. She's allowing her mind to be fully aware of the love and connection she feels for this moment. A moment that's partially about Michelle and more about everything this moment involves—life, love and happiness. Michelle is simply the trigger. She’s only the meditation.