"Daddy, Daddy, Did You Watch Me?"

It's kinda' funny ya' know, the things that pop into your widdle head for no rhyme or reason sometimes.

Kinda' like one of those distant, happy, and growing hazier-by-the-year thought bubbles I had today.

Calling out to Dad to make sure he knew it was my turn to jump into the deep end of the pool for the very first time. Knowing that I couldn't do it without him watching nearby,

The Sixties. Was it '1965, '66? Seven, may be eight years old. Central Y's pool by the Ala Moana Shopping Center.

Surfacing, no "puka-head," looking for my Dad's face of approval, and proudly calling out probably way too loud "Daddy, daddy, did you watch me?" Dad would usually grimace and shake his head that his son, a Japanese kid, would and could yell so uncharacteristically loud.

Oh well, I looked pure Japanese, but I was hapa-haole. He attributed my gregarious nature to my "haole side."

My dad passed away in 2000.

He never got a chance to greet me, nor I him on the beach after a Kailua to Waikiki, Hawai'i Kai to Nanakuli, or best of all a Moloka'i to O'ahu race.

I wish we had had that experience together. It would have felt real good. I think it would have made his heart smile.

I guess I start feeling these sweet and bygone memories when I make a water change, or see others plunging into the open arms of a welcoming indigo colored Pacific Ocean. Temporarily and totally submerged, enveloped in GOD's hand of protection.

The sweat, pain, and tears all gone and washed away in the blink of an eye. How wonderful knowing that my Heavenly Father is always watching, and loving me. Never leaving my side when I jump into something new or unknown.

Balled up for a moment in the comfort of a fetal position, knowing that when I open my eyes again and lunge for the surface for my first gasp of fresh air, I will see the approval on my Dad's face again in my mind's eye.

That I was able to jump into the deep water because I believed and loved Him, and that I know He believed and loved me too.

-Uncle Hut