I was walking on the coastal path here on Kaua’i, and I thought that I would memorialize my father today on Memorial Day. He fought in WWII but on the Italian side. He deserted when he realized that what he was fighting for was not in alignment with what he truly believed. He had to hide out in the woods for many weeks, starving, and then coming home to a house that was in complete devastation.

Piece by piece, he put his home back together. He found a piano and brought music into the house. Although he later became a doctor, he was a musician first. He rebuilt the house with the help of his family, but according to my late cousin, my father led the way to bring beauty back to a world that was in ruins.

So, my father raised us with a lot of what he grew up with. He was stern, unmoving, but clear in what he wanted in life. He treasured the beautiful.

Today it came to me, that he raised us with what he had learned and not learned in life. He did the best with the emotional and mental maturity that he had at that time.  The things I learned from him brought out new strengths in me. They were my earthly lessons.

One of the greatest things I learned from my father was that there was always more. I remember him coming to a beautiful home we owned in New Mexico. He said, “This is beautiful, Rita, but there is even more than this.” My father lived in the more, not in a desperate, craving way, but in an awe for life and the beauty that it could encompass. He always knew he was provided for by something deep within him. He used to say, “I do not do this, Rita, but God works through me.”

I did a treatment today for myself and my dad and our continued eternal connection. I knew that I took from him what he had learned and what he had not learned and made it into the life that I am still creating the same way.

As I continue to learn from a place of faith, trust and love, my life gets better and better. As I let go of the way I think I should have been raised, I get to raise myself in the now. I get to see my dad in a new light and know that he is expanding and learning wherever he is now.

I am grateful for every part of my childhood and what it taught me and how it allowed me to raise my own children in an even better way. I am grateful for my dad and all the amazing gifts I receive from being his daughter.

My mentor, Dr. James Mellon has a vision statement that says, “Love only! Forgive everything! Remember who you are!” How perfect for today and everyday. When we give everything- more love, more forgiveness – and remember that we all come from the same Divine Heritage, raised by earthly parents, who are also Divine, things really get clear.

Happy Memorial Day Rocco Andriello and everyone!

Love and Aloha,

Rev. Rita