A LEIbor of Love
As a long-time Hawaiian Airlines flyer, I received an e-mail announcing their upcoming “CeLEIbrate Aloha” Photo Contest, and call for submissions. So, as any writer would naturally do, I submitted the following story, feeling confident I would win! Did I? Nope, but I was happy to share my heartwarming story just the same. Enjoy…and Happy Lei Day!
We flew Smoke from Californian to Hawai’i when he was 29 years young. On his 33rd birthday, my hubby, Pat, crafted this beautiful lei from Ohia branches, leaves and vibrant red Lehua blooms hand picked on our property in Paauilo, Big Island. Draping it across his neck, weaved among his flowing white mane, demonstrated Pat’s aloha to me, while ceLEIbrating the remarkable love between a rider and her horse.
Smoke lived to enjoy three more glorious years of Hawaii life, then jumped the rainbow on May 1, Lei Day, 2018.
