Hawaii - An Unforgettable Maui Experience

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Big Plans-With a Major Modification

Dick Binford has been a warm, wonderful and generous friend for years. Then recently he came with an unbelievably wonderful offer. He was inviting Jane and me together with Pr. Fred Lubs and his wife Ruth to join him (Dick) for a week at Maui as his guests. Wow! That was an invitation to savor and readily accept. Then came a change, which even he did not anticipate when he first made the offer. He laid it out “I am getting married to Cheryl. We want you to perform the wedding ceremony and now there will be six of us on that Maui trip!” Well, being part of his and Cheryl’s honeymoon was a new angle. So we quickly offered to modify the plans so that the two of them would not have 2 retired ministers (plus spouses) along for this great experience. Both he and Cheryl, however, remained cool and said “Come along. It will be great. We will figure out enough one on one time and space for it all to work.” And they did!

A Simple Yet Perfect Wedding

The wedding was held on Sunday evening at the Rancho Bernardo Inn. All was beautifully and carefully arranged and came off as planned. The site was a secluded outdoor space with green grass and lovely flowers with white chairs neatly arranged. Guests arrived on time, excited to support this new relationship. The simple procession down the grassy aisle went as planned with one wonderful little exception. At first the two flower girls were a bit reluctant, then they enthusiastically spread the blossoms. And when they realized that their supply of blossoms would run out before they got to the front they simple went back, picked up some the strewn ones, and again delicately dropped them down the aisle. And then spying some more blossoms on nearby plants they picked some from there to replenish their supply.

The ceremony was direct and simple. The readings were attended to, the prayers spoken, the vows made, the rings exchanged, all accompanied by beautiful harp music. The newly married couple had their first public kiss and those assembled cheered.

The spirit at the reception with many drink and appetizer choices continued the warm spirit as family and friends wished the new couple an overflowing abundance of joy. There was a generous flow of hugs, tears well wishes and affirmations, not a single one of which was missed by the very professional photographer who got it all recorded.

The wedding dinner was just right for group of 42 gathered around tables with assigned seats and carefully served steak and fish with all the great accompaniments, with beverages of choice flowing freely, toasts earnestly made and concluded with special marriage cup cakes!

At 10:30 the next morning family and friends from out of town were treated to a great breakfast on the patio overlooking the tenth green of the golf course below. Once more the sentiments of joy and anticipation stirred through the guests.

First Class to Maui

On Tuesday Jane and I joined Dick and Cheryl in their beautiful downtown San Diego condo where some of us watched the World Series game in which Padres hung on to defeat the Red Sox in 13 innings. But Dick was knocking on our door by 5:30 am the next morning because it was time to head to the airport for the flight to Maui.

And what a ride it was. Outstanding first class on Hawaiian Airlines. The two flight attendants in the First Class cabin were unusually solicitous. They made us feel like each one of us was the exclusive object of their attention. Even when I thought I really did not need another mai tai it was furnished and I succumbed to the polite pressure of having to endure it. It might be a 5-hour flight but it went so smoothly that I wasn’t even sure I wanted to get off.

Room With a View - And Then Some

Dick had made reservations for all of us at the Wailea Beach Resort Condo, D110 to be specific. It had three bedrooms, beautiful living room, full (very full) kitchen, stocked with every conceivable utensil including popcorn popper, waffle iron, three coffee makers, and a bar loaded with name brand drinks, outdoor grills etc. etc. Outside the door we were greeted by a wonderful sitting and viewing area with a flowing waterfall off to the right and the beautiful beach ahead. There was the pool, the beach, the ocean and the walkways with piles of large fresh white fluffy towels at every corner.

Key Events

LUAU. Among the many wonderful events what stands out most is the private Luau that Dick arranged for us at the Wailea Golf Club Restaurant. It was strictly for the six of us. When we arrived the table on the outdoor deck was waiting-but we were invited in for pre-luau mai tais and appetizers

There was a wonderful two male music ensemble playing a uke and a guitar. They sang and played for the full two hours we were there without repeating any number, and they were good, singing at just the right volume, choosing sentimental and appropriate music and ending with a beautiful rendition of  “Can’t Help Falling In Love With You”.

They were easy to dance to. Even I (who cannot possible dance even the simplest step) stood up and hugged Jane and once in awhile moved my feet a bit. It didn’t matter; it was love.

Then came the hula dancing pair. When they came to chat with us after their perfect performance we learned they were husband and wife and their words and body motions were just right for couples, whether newly married or married for 67 years!

It kept coming. This time an incredibly agile and gifted fire dancer who swirled the flaming torches about him in an amazing array of motions and angles. He, too, came to chat with us afterwards and that, too, was interesting.

All of this was accompanied by drinks and a mouth-watering eight (8) course dinner described in detail below.

NOT QUITE TO THE MOUNTAIN TOP. As was the case on several occasions the two guest couples went out on their own while the newly married two-some had the opportunity to follow their own wishes. Fred, Ruth, Jane and I decided to go to the top of Haleakala to see the volcano site. Unfortunately as we neared the top we realized that the peak was completely enveloped by clouds. We went to the National Park Store and enjoyed reading about it and picking up a few souvenirs. With some effort we again found a great place to eat while admiring a still different view of appealing scenery

TOUR OF LANAI AND KIHEI. Traveling on well-traveled and very narrow one-lane roads made for excitement and enjoyment.

Always there was time for long walks on the beach, lounging on the shore, enjoying the pools or just reading Kindle, interrupted only by our choice of watching the World Series with ups and downs of the Dodger efforts cheered on by Cheryl in her newly gifted Dodger cap

And Don’t Forget the Golf. The Wailea Golf Club offers three great course and we played two of them. The first day on the Gold turned into disaster for me. That course must have over 100 sand traps and I found at least 20 of them. Fred hit the longest drives (some of which landed in the fairway) and Dick just hung in there to get the low score. When we played the Emerald Course my partners felt compassion for this old man and let him play the forward tees. That worked great for me and I actually ended up with five 3’s on the scorecard accurately recorded by Cheryl, and shot my age! On the once a year occasion when I shoot my age I always buy the pitchers of beers but when I wanted to do that at the Club House we were told that on Maui the county does not allow serving beer by the pitcher. We adjusted quickly and well within that restriction managed to celebrate the day.

LOOKING AND FEELING BEAUTIFUL. While we were playing our first round of golf the women were having a very special good time. Dick had arranged an appointment for them to get the full treatment at a fancy spa. So they got it all, steam and cream and tender care!

FOOD! FOOD! FOOD! What’s a vacation without special food - and we had plenty. Dick had asked me to grill steak the first evening. I was worried about it but carefully packed my special steak marinade in my checked bag and it went safely through all the checks points. We picked up steaks and they actually turned out great. One night Dick made a great spaghetti dish. The Lubs found some delicious pizzas to bring in. Brunch at the Marriott courtesy of Ruth and Fred was special and I had my first ever Maui Bloody Mary with a crispy slice of fried bacon as a swizzle stick. We ended our stay by going to the Far East for a simple Thai meal as our final selection. Previous to that we enjoyed the meal of a lifetime hosted by Cheryl at Momma’s Fish House. The ambiance there is a very special conglomerate of half a dozen styles. The menu lists pages and pages and the food is absolutely unique. We all had wonderful multi-course meals. My fabulous entre was mahi and other fish in a perfect curry sauce all mingled with fresh and tasteful vegetables. To say “ it was marvelous” is an understatement.

And there were all those homemade cookies. Jane brought a big batch of peanut butter cookies. Ruth brought blueberry muffin cookies. They disappeared so quickly that a trip was made to the grocery for the mix for lots more cookies. They smelled great when they were in the oven and tasted even better when they were in our mouths.

I will close the section on food by just listing the dishes served at the Luau. Here it is: Appetizer: Ahi Cake with Kula Greens and Wasabi Remoulade. Entrees: Macadamia Nut Crusted Fresh Catch with Pineapple Salsa accompanied by Kalua Pork Steamed Buns, followed by Hosin Marinated Short Ribs of Beef with Mushrooms, and Wok Seared Vegetables in Curry Sauce with Lop Cheung Fried Rice and Purple Sweet Potato Mash on the side. All ended up with Selected Sweets! (And the servings were so generous we took food home for the next 4 days!

BUMPS ALONG THE ROAD Every ride needs a bump or two to help appreciate the smooth parts. We were disappointed not to see the volcano. More importantly Jane caught a really bad cold and her cough made her draw upon deep resources within her resilient self to take in as much as possible. Dick and Cheryl did a little joy riding off the main drag and were greeted by a newly arrived boulder on the road, which extended a very firm welcome to them on the front right bumper of their car. The Dodgers disappointed. But what is that among the many joys, comfort, pleasures and just good times we had on Maui

Yes indeed, AN UNFORGETTABLE MAUI EXPERIENCE

Jane’s 90th

Jane is about to have her 90^th birthday and the celebrations are going on with a wonderful non-stop series of glorious events. Our 4 kids and most of their spouses and almost all our grandchildren have arrived from New Hampshire, Connecticut and Northern California. Thanks to Air Bnb and other options they have places all up and down our near-by coast-with fabulous views of the ocean and wonderful spaces for parties.

It started on Friday with a big shindig at one of the beautiful rented places. There was champaign, wine, special margaritas and homemade ice cream. There were balloons, and signs and streamers and tables of great food. Saturday dinner was here at La Costa Glen in a special room decorated with unique place cards featuring photos of Jane. A large bouquet of roses (sent by friends of daughter Liz) added fragrance. The local kitchen staff outdid themselves with shrimp cocktails, sole, chicken, gluten-free pasta, etc. etc. But the high light was not the food but the program. Toasts were raised by young and old, children, grandchildren and in-laws. They were loaded with stories of praise for Jane’s incredible persistence, love, care and acceptance.

The memories recalled times when they were young or when they gave birth or when they had appendixes removed or when they just needed a caring, listening ear. Special note was made of Jane’s health issues including bad hay fever, asthma, both hips and both knees replaced, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, cerebral aneurysm (flying from Hong Kong to San Antonio in a virtual coma), all lower teeth removed while she was still in her thirties and significant hearing loss.

Days in Hong Kong were recalled, times of learning a new language, of keeping kids in clean clothes when there was running water for only three hours every fourth day. While there she had a couple miscarriages and brought forth 4 children even if she had to wake up the night watchman to let her into the hospital and walk up four flights of stairs to get to the birthing area where the doctor arrived after the baby did. In the midst of all that she taught piano, sang in choirs, helped produce thousands of Sunday School leaflets (in Chinese) every week, and was an officer in the American Women’s Society of Hong Kong.

There were stories of trans-Pacific plane rides with failing engines, of ferry rides to Macau, of giving missionary talks in 17 states. Also good times in Hawaii, hay fever filled days in the Alps, secret support of gays and lesbians in Finland, visiting with “adopted” daughter in Sweden, and grandkids in Taiwan. Spain, and England, finding roots in Germany, falling three times on wet slick floors in Cancun and enjoying ocean views in Baja California.

In the midst if all this, Jane made time for artistic expression. Now her piano playing is no longer suitable for concerts solos. Her arm strength limits her wood carving. Her favorite art teacher has died, but she continues to weave, crochet, sew, tat, bake wonderful cookies, learn new computer programs and tend to the plants on our balcony,

All of this was reflected in two most unusual documents. Liz had asked nine family members to each interview Jane and then write a summary of her life during one of her nine decades. Then she put all this (and more) together in a wonderful document. Then to top off all of this, these events were recalled in a marvelous l0 stanza ballad complete with a repeated chorus composed by Tim, Wendy and Haven. Still it didn’t stop. We filled a long pew at a Sunday morning 8:00 ‘o’clock service at Calvary Lutheran, joined the pastor in prayers of thanks and then shared a marvelous big Happy 90^t Birthday cake with the congregation.

As I write this it is still going on. The four kids (regretfully, yet thankfully, remembering David, now at eternal peace) decided to have a sib-fest with just the 4 of them. So they are enjoying their sea- side villa, going scuba diving, visiting San Diego and coming to our place for end of the day cake, ice cream and cognac.

Soon this will be over. Yet it will never be over. The Memories will last. The gratitude for Jane will forever be remembered before our Heavenly Parent whom we acknowledge to be the giver of this and every wonderful gift, especially this marvelous human being: Jane.

Taxes: Happy To Pay Them

It was, of all places, a golf course that got me thinking about taxes. As a part of our annual Kieschnick Reunion rituals we played Saturday morning golf-at a public course in New Braunfels, Texas. The service was outstanding. The staff had the carts ready-with our names on them. There were signs announcing the event. The staff had even called earlier to tell us they would have the kitchen staff arrive extra early on that Saturday morning to prepare breakfast if we wished that. I have never received better service at the finest private clubs around the world.

I reflected upon the fact that this was a public golf course undoubtedly supported by taxes. Maybe I even paid some tax support for it as part of the add-on taxes  when I paid my motel bill in that city. I was happy to pay those taxes and get those nice benefits. The more I thought about this the more I became aware of other things I get for my taxes.

I am happy to travel on our tax-supported highways. The police help keep me safe. Some of my fellow citizens who are less blessed with resources than I get housing or food or health support. The monthly social security checks deposited into my bank are certainly more than I ever paid into that account. My Medicare drugs tend to run to $8.00 per prescription-due to tax support. While I think we spend too much on the military I must admit that I am grateful for the men and women who serve to protect me .I get frustrated and angry when I see what my taxes are paying for at the DMV yet the list of appreciated benefits goes on: free public schools, fire protection, clean beaches, airport security, assistance for poor and hungry people around the world. I am grateful that my California gasoline taxes help protect the environment and combat global warming. I get a lot for my taxes and I am grateful for the benefits.

I realize, of course, that I pay fewer taxes than many. I am aware that because of my income level I pay extremely little in income taxes. Whatever the amount: I do not regret paying it. I do not want to move out of my state or country to “save taxes”. I follow Jesus’ teaching to “render unto Caesar what is cease’s”. So, yes, I claim every deduction I can. I do not send extra “voluntary cash” to the government-but I am indeed satisfied to pay my fair share of taxes and am grateful and pleased with the benefits

Kieschnick Family Reunion 2018 - No.27

The Oscar and Lina Kieschnick 27^th consecutive annual reunion was, as always, a great success. This one, however, was a bit different for me. For the first time in its long history I was the oldest person there, even though I am only 90 years of age and number three in birth order of “The Original Nine.” Sister Erna who is 94 had fallen and broken a wrist and so stayed home I Florida. Sister number 2, Leona, has severe Altzheimers and stayed behind in her memory care unit. Thus I was the proclaimed elder statesman.

On this trip I had some undeniable evidence that I am indeed ageing. I had typed in the incorrect pick-up date for my car rental at the San Antonio airport. Procedures for checking in for flights has changed and I was slow to catch on and relied upon my patient, always more proficiently computer skilled wife Jane. When nephew George put together the rules for the golf tournament he allowed for persons older than 80 to play from the forward tees (and he knew that I was the only one who met that criteria.) By the time the last of the Texas 42 players went to bed around 2:00 am I had long before been fast asleep. Age cannot be denied - and it can also be celebrated. I drank my full share of the beer that flowed from the three full barrels of Shiner Boeck and Miller Lite. I stayed within the one-minute time limit when giving the update on my life. I still sang from memory all the verses of hymns at the wonderful closing worship.

Niece Kari who did an unbelievably fantastic job of pulling together this entire event of well over 100 of our Kieschnick clan did a super job of having an update on every one of the extended family. As I listened to all the jobs now held by all (and especially also by all the women) it hit me. My Mother never had these options. She could be a teacher, a nurse or a secretary. Yet her contribution to her family, to the church and to the world cannot be surpassed even by the wonderful things the current generation is achieving. I remembered and thanked God and Mom. She raised 9 children, lived through the great depression, supported Dad, gave birth to 9 children. She sewed, washed, hung on the line to dry and ironed our clothes, canned 800 quarts of fruit and vegetables in one summer. She butchered and fried young chickens week after week and year after year. She took care of all 9 of us when we had mumps, chicken pox, red eye, measles, whooping cough, annual birthday parties, broken ones and broken romances. And I recall Dad and his ministry to the church and the world. I recalled how his mom and dad had put him on that solitary and slow train ride from Lincoln, Texas to Chicago in 1913 when he was only 13 years of age as he left to prepare for his lifetime ministry in the Lutheran Church. He taught multi-grade classrooms, was principal, organist, choir director, janitor, church secretary, state-wide chair of Lutheran teachers, counselor to hundreds, toast master extraordinaire, etc. etc.

Our closing worship featured the singing of favorite hymns of Mom and Dad and of the Original 9, an essay on Martin Luther by a fifth generation 11-year old William and a powerful trumpeting of Taps by great nephew Brandon.

After arriving back home safely to our retirement community in California I reflected upon the fat that the annual cost to Jane and me for the reunion (covering airfare, car rentals, hotels, meals, golf, etc. etc.) comes to about $2000 a year. So I guess we have spent in excess of $50,000 to make all these 27 Annual Reunions. I came to a wonderful conclusion. “Thank God we can afford this. It is worth every penny.”

Birthday Celebration in Hong Kong Part VI

When I lived in Hong Kong in the 1950’s and 60’s my Chinese friends were often reluctant to speak about their difficult pasts and why they had to flea China. Students, too, were quite hesitant to get very autobiographical. But when I was in Hong Kong recently this had changed. I was surprised by how candid my former students were as they spoke of their youth. More than once they recalled the extreme poverty they experienced growing up. Especially when a group of us had finished dinner one night in Macau the group shared stories of their challenging background. I want to relate just a few of those stories here. I have changed all names and may have altered a few details to protect some identities.

Matthew started the conversation. ”We were all very poor,” he stated, “and I think I was among the poorest.” He recalled that his father had been killed on Christmas Day 1941 when he served in the British forces protecting Hong Kong and the Japanese invaded and just demolished them. So at about 5 years of age he and his 3-year-old brother were raised by his widowed mother. She found a few dollars to enroll him in Concordia Middle School But soon she came to the Dean and announced “I have to take Matthew out of school. I cannot pay both his tuition and still have money for his food.” The Dean said, ”We will help with tuition and he can just eat with me. At lunch time let him come to me and I will share my rice with him”. Incidentally the monthly salary of that dean was US$30.00 a month. Matthew studied and did very well. A few years later the Dean informed me that Matthew’s mother could now not even pay the reduced school fees.  So he and another colleague had asked her to iron their shirts and they would help with his tuition (and I found money to make up the balance of his school fees.) He graduated with highest honors-one of the top 5 in the entire colony of Hong Kong. Soon the Lutheran Church chose him to study at a Lutheran College in the USA. There he was supported by faithful Lutherans from a congregation in the small town of Walburg, Texas. Matthew served the Lutheran Church in Hong Kong then went into business as a major exec for an international conglomerate and ended up as a most senior officer in what is now the largest international insurance company in China. He never forgot God or the people who helped him, is a stalwart in the Lutheran Church and the community and was a primary host and benefactor for my visit.

Mary was an excellent student in Concordia Middle School-excelling especially in English. I even used her as an interpreter when my Cantonese was inadequate. She was also a person with a very disturbing past. She was a very young girl when Mao’s officials came to the farm where she lived with her extended family in South China. These officials came to take away her grandfather’s land and keep it for the Communists. It got worse. The officials tied up her grandfather with his arms ties behind his back. They took him outside and brought the entire family including little Mary and made her watch as they shot and killed him. That vision stayed in her head. Eventually she escaped to Hong Kong but carried with her the fear of what might happen to her when Hong Kong was to “return” to China in 1997.She badly wanted a USA passport as a safety net. Our son David sponsored her as an immigrant to the USA. She worked in the dress fur business and then in banking. She returned to Hong Kong as a successful businesswoman and teacher and supported her son through his graduation from Oxford University. She is forever grateful to those who assisted her and was the person most active in making all the arrangements and paying for my 90^th birthday in Hong Kong.

Mark was the best athlete at Concordia excelling especially in basketball and swimming. He studied very hard to excel is his academics. Unfortunately he was also very poor and lived in a tiny study and sleeping area-which also had poor ventilation. As a result he had barely finished his high school when he was struck down with tuberculosis-an all too common experience in Hong Kong in the late 1950”s. Fortunately space for recuperation was found for him at The Haven of Hope Sanitarium partially funded by The Wheat Ridge Foundation.

While there the gentleman in the bed next to him told the sad story of his young son. “He is very bright and talented,” said the father” but he is on the streets as I cannot afford to pay any school tuition because I lie here helpless in this bed.”: Mark suggested Concordia and said he would speak to his church friends to see if financial aid could be found. That worked especially also interested in making slide projections of Bible stories for use in Sunday School. Today that student is in Beijing after producing Mission Impossible II in the USA and is known world-wide as Andy Woo. And Mark, the person who got him started, was a successful teacher and stock manager and the person who paid for my son Tim’s airfare and for all our hotel bills (plus) while we were in Hong Kong.

Martha was living in a squatter hut which the terrible Shek Kip Mei fires of the early 1950’s suddenly made tens of thousands of refugees homeless once again. Her parents found another very minimal place to live and she found her way to Concordia, getting up at 5:00 each morning to grab the public busses which got her there. After graduation she was blessed to get married into an old-time Hong Kong family which had the resources to have one of her children get a PhD and become a cancer research specialist. Another is a medical doctor with major responsibility. A third is an attorney in England. She hosted us wonderfully, provided all our Hong Kong and Macau transportation and made generous contributions for all the events.

John’s family was also made homeless by the fires mentioned above. His mother was relentless in getting a teaching position and pushed and advocated for her children. John was an outstanding student, studied at Concordia Chicago, ended up returning to HK and headed up the multi-multi million dollars a year Lutheran Social Services of Hong Kong and was able to secure funding from multiple sources including HK’s Jockey Club. His sister is a widely admired surgeon in HK and his brother owns a business in England. He was co-chair of the committee that planned all the events and was most generous.

When I knew these kids they had to launder their school uniforms as soon as they got home from school so they could wear them again the next day because they could afford only one set of clothes.

The list goes on: Paul was the head Chinese for introducing MacDonald’s into China. Timothy, a top professor at Hong Kong Chinese University, got his PhD at Yale and headed a major world-wide evangelistic education agency. Ron heads a Cancer Research Institute. And the list goes on and on.

--> They are all blessed products of the conviction that under God, with hard work, solid education, multiple sources of encouragement and endurance lead to untold opportunities and blessings – and then they thank their old friends and pay it forward for the next generation.

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