PCS Party

I should tell you now about my PCS party. Doreen Matsunaga and Lauren Harrold hosted the party. It was held Sunday evening at the Matsunaga's yard, under a tent. It poured rain all day long until about 4 pm. Then the rain stopped - it seemed like a miracle. Between 60 and 100 people turned out, others wanted to come but had to work or were off-island. There were people from all areas: USAKA, active duty military, hospital, doctors, nurses, co-workers, friends, patients, racquetball teammates, Americans, Marshallese, Filipinos, Mexicans, South Americans, and a Bahamian. I was hugged by so many patients with tears in their eyes. Guys would pump my hand and wish me well.

And, did I mention the food?! OMG, everybody cooked their best dishes. The food tables were overflowing. The desserts had to be taken indoors until the main meal was over because there was not enough room for everything on the tables at once. It was a truly humbling experience. It was all I could do to maintain my composure during the event. Even now, just writing about it makes my eyes well up.