17 May 2008 Update
Belated Happy Birthdays to Uncle Steve in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea and Ana Vete - a regular in our household here. Ana's cake was awesome - hope the same in PNG.
Tae again started the morning slowly and rather painfully but improved as the medicine kicked in. We were happy to have Tanya Edwards and daughter Ruby in for a visit before Tae slept again through lunch. Sina and I then continued our hunt for the right kind of seafood pasta (Tae has had an urge for a fettucine seafood pasta with creamy sauce). We finally found the right pasta at a premium price and I realized I had been asking for the wrong kind all last week (I thought I knew my pastas). She loved her late lunch. Appreciated the generosity of Marco and Ana at Luna Rossa restaurant last week in cooking up a special pasta. WE are still glad she wants to eat and will have a shot at anything she feels like eating although she is limited to what she can actually chew/swallow.
Tae asked mid afternoon if I could push her into town to see some shops. It was our first time for the two of us to go into town while the shops were open. We bought stationary for her drawings, a milkshake at Escape Cafe (sitting outside under the umbrellas), books at the Friendly Islands bookshop and then visited the new Digicel shop (the new phone competitor). We then strolled passed the Palace, the waterfront and home again - just in time to meet Foi Ledger and a Digicel team who dropped in to give her a complementary phone.
I have realized that pushing a wheelchair can be quiet a challenge on our inconsistent Tongan footpaths - Tae nearly slipped right off the chair after a front wheel ground into a soft spot. Also appreciating the challenges other wheelchair users face in Tonga and other Pacific countries.
Amazed at the reaction of so many who would wave or call out to her as we walked into town or just come to hug her and greet her. We stopped at one shop to buy a cap and the shopowner tearfully refused a payment and came out to hug her. We continue to hope that in someway, the awareness around Tae's journey will make it easier for kids facing special challenges here in Tonga and other Pacific countries and that her life inspires people to positive change!
yes Taholo, I can very well imagined how hard it is to push the wheelchair on the Tongan Roads:):)(real good exercise for you though...hahaha) it's so overwhelming how everyone are so drawn to Tae..am sure that God is not done with her yet...He's got a purpose in everything that happens in our lives and all we can do is Praise His Name!!!
our love and prayers are always with you, Sina,Joy, MIa and especially Tae...'Ofa lahi atu to you all..
Noke, Lusi and Henry
Posted by: Lusitania | May 20, 2008 at 10:24 AM
HI All,
Uncle Steve managed to get T-BONE STEAKS, which I call brontosuarus steaks as they cover the plate, and a few of his closet frineds over for dinner.
He did not have a cake, but asked for sticky date pudding, which he got....
A birthday he enjoyed......I HOPE ????
Thanks for the well wishes....
Much love to you all
Posted by: Aunty Lanna in POM | May 20, 2008 at 07:51 PM
Dear Tae,
Seems like your enjoying the cruising around town huh??? well we wish you all happiness dear and still we always remember you in our hearts, thoughts and prayers... 'ofa lahi atu to you Tae..'ofa atu to Mia, Joy, Sina and Taholo..its almost over here 3 weeks before exams and we hope and pray we will get to see you back in Tonga again...
much love and prayers,
Pola, Noa, Malia, Suli, Nane, Kipola, Mone, Felix, Kelisimi, 'Una
Posted by: 'Una | May 21, 2008 at 03:32 AM
Hello Tae, ko au maikolo ee... sorry been a while kai toe fai ha 'eva atu... asili ai mate eku me'alele so no ride 4 now....haha.. hope you are all well and I know you are :) i'll really try my best keu toe eva atu asap.. hopefully tomoro if mah ride is back runnin:D missin yah heaps but saipe ur alwayz in our thoughts n prayers:) take care n see you soon...
ofa atu n God bless cuz:)
Posted by: mickey | May 21, 2008 at 07:05 PM
Uncle Taholo,
I think your dates are wrong....
Please cheak them.
I am doing the Calendar at school and your dates are not the same as mine...
Love you, Bless you
Viliami in POM
Posted by: Vili in POM | May 21, 2008 at 09:42 PM
Made me laugh at dad pushing you around Tonga's "smooth as" roads... he he good exercise. I should send Manase over to help out. Hope you having a better day today... enjoy your pasta...making me hungry now.. ofa atu aunty Flo xx
Posted by: Folola Lua | May 21, 2008 at 11:34 PM