Urban Poly Princess

Last night I decided to contact Liane to see if I could catch a ride to our extended FHE at Uncle Kingi's house. Liane picked me up with Lehua and Jared who I haven't seen in a long time since they live in Maui with their families. It was so good to see them. Jared's here until Saturday morning. Lehua got here Friday but she leaves Wednesday. Jared flew in this morning so they picked him up from the airport then they got me.

Aunty Lini and Uncle Inoke are here for the funeral but they are serving a mission in Tonga. They can only be gone 10 days so they had to rush the funeral and hold it the day before they are leaving. Uncle Tai lives in Tonga and he came with them. He missed all his other siblings' funerals. He is the youngest in the family. Aunty Lini and him are the only ones left now.

The family meeting had several of my dad's 1st cousins in attendance in addition to their children. It was so nice to see everyone there and A LOT of people I don't know at all. Sione brought his huge rotissere trailer grill there and they cooked lamb, chicken and turkey tails there. I don't get the fascination with the turkey tails but I love BBQ lamb.

Lupe is carrying her 10th child now and her baby is 7 months old. She is passing George and his 9 kids. Lehua has 5 and Jared has 6.

George is subbing for a teacher at Stephens-Henager College in Murray tonight so he's not getting home until around 11pm.

Our family meeting/viewing is at 7am with the Relief Society serving us breakfast. The public viewing is from 9-10:30 after which the service will be held at 11am. Everyone was assigned something to bring to create boxes to give people who attend the funeral when it's done. This is usually Poly food but my family is handing out plates consisting of sandwiches, cookies, chips, fruit and a bottle of water.

Ironic really. At my dad's funeral my Uncle Kingi insisted on traditional Tongan food. He arranged all of that.

I offended him a lot by telling him exactly how I wanted my father's funeral. That was sooo NOOOT my intention!!! George tried to make it better by telling him my father spoiled me. Apparently I'm not supposed to tell my uncle if there's something I don't like.

My father definitely didn't raise me that way. My dad definitely defied his cultural norms in a number of ways. He always told me he loved me. Polynesian fathers rarely if ever do that. I miss him so much. What made me treasure my uncle more was that he reminded me of my father in many ways although he is much more traditional.