A B&B in Makawao — And the Giftings of Midwives

The grounds at Hale Ho'okipa

Good Day, God!

I’m home . . . but part of me is still back in the Hale Ho’okipa B&B in Makawao — upcountry Maui. The B&B was built in 1924 for the Gomes Family. The wood floors and comfortable feel were out of the past — the bathrooms were more modern.

It had the feel of a home. Cherie, the owner is an artist and so the place is filled with various kinds of art — hers and her friends. She does lovely woodblock watercolors. I got the feeling that everybody “Upcountry” was doing something creative. It made me want to join in!

Inside the old "Gomes" family home -- now Hale Ho'okipa B&B

I found out that before this career Cherie was a midwife. Perfect! A perfect description of her giftings. Her plants were thriving. Her guests were nurtured. And neighbors and friends dropped by during the breakfast hour to bring a gift or just say hello. Helping to bring a child into the world — or helping to bring people together in community — are they so different, God?

Makawao is a small community. And I like to think, God, that is the way we humans were designed to live. In small towns — villages — knowing one another and being known.

Sigh. The older I get the more I treasure the friends I have found. I was going to say “made.” But, for friends-that-last, it seem more like “finding” them just as one finds a special shell on the beach. Discovered not Made!  In fact, God, I just read a new post written by one of my dear friends from high school.  She included one of my favorite quotes:  “It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.”

The beauty of flowers and mountains and seas are overwhelming. But, the true beauty lies in the hearts of our friends — our family — our fellow creatures of this world. Thank You, God. Thank You!