The other afternoon, shortly before the sun was going down, I went outside on our lanai just to enjoy the view and see if any of my tomatoes or beans were ripe. The sun was just beginning its final descent over the mauka [toward the sea] hills, and I stood there enjoying the last of its warmth, very aware that soon it would be dark, and the view lost to me.
Because my mother’s death and all that surrounded it have continued to take up so much of my time and energy these past weeks, I’ve often said to my closest friends, “I missed summer!” Ordinarily I look forward to Autumn and its glorious colors even though it signifies that the rains will soon be here, and gray days will replace the bright ones of summer. But this year I have been wishing that I could be like the legendary Hawaiian demi-god Maui, who captured the sun and made it slow down for six months out of the year so that his mother could have more time for her kapa to dry. I have been craving the bright, sunny days of summer, knowing all too well that just as night was coming as I stood there out on my lanai, winter was coming and with it, the shorter, darker months that I wanted to somehow delay.
As I stood there, suddenly I saw a spider spinning her web, its delicate strands caught in the rays of the setting sun. I just stood there, in awe, and I realized that God was speaking to me as I watched the spider making her way from one end of the web to the other. He said, “Mokihana, you resent the coming darkness, but look at the treasure I have for you in the midst of it! You never would have seen this spider if the sun hadn’t been setting!”
I realized then that what I was seeing and hearing had much bigger implications. I also saw that so often I tend to see only the darkness in my life, forgetting that along with it, are moments bright and shining, if only I’ll take time to stop and look for them. Too often I miss the miraculous.
Mahalo, ke Akua, for speaking to me this way. For helping me learn to be transformed by the renewing of my mind, and for allowing me to see your humble creature dressed in royalty even as darkness begins to settle over the land.
A Mānoa Girl's Bloggie 
Wonderful post and wonderful message. I think very often we miss the good in our lives because we are feeling sorrow. God has a wonderful way of talking with us if we will only hear him when he speaks.
Thank you for sharing. Hugs and blessings sent your way.
I’m so sorry for your loss. I’m touched by how you were able to share the comfort that only can come from Him! The power of His creation to speak so deeply to our souls. Yes, even a spider can teach us powerful things – look at the ants…amazing right?
Blessings to you today and may the love of God surround your heart, mind and soul!
Jill
I’m so sorry to hear you’ve recently lost your Mom. This is so true and beautifully written. How often we miss the blessings of today because we are focused on the sorrow of letting go of yesterday. Great reminder for today. Thank you for sharing with us.
Blessings,
Tracy
I’m so sorry about the loss of your Mom. I loved your post. I thought it was beautiful. The Scripture and picture are great, too! Happy WFW.
My heart is broken at the loss of your mother. I pray that you will allow God’s love to just flood you today like never before. I will carry you with me today in my prayers.
I am so very sorry for the loss of your dear mom. I lost my mom in april 2006. I miss her so much. I will be praying for you.
what a powerful post.
Hugs hon.
Ohhhh…I’m so VERY GLAD I came here. Powerful and very well said. The lesson sank into my heart too.
Isaiah 45:3 And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the Lord, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel.
Love, Debra
That’s a wonderful verse and the photo suits it so well.
That was beautiful. It’s always in the darkness or valleys that God speaks and we hear Him the most. For some reason it’s easy to see that for others but not so much for ourselves. God spoke to you through the spider and you heard because you were willing to slow down.
That’s a beautiful post, Moki. It’s important to grieve and also to look at the brighter things in life. You’re doing both and that’s awesome.
Gold it is, and that is what we’re knit with by you as your ‘friend chain’. What a blessing.
Beautiful, beautiful! I don’t want to miss the miraculous either. I pray today that God will open my eyes the same way He has yours. Your words to me about my loss were so heartfelt…what I read here showed me why. I have not yet lost a parent, and so I can only imagine how it changes someone’s life. My prayers are for you this afternoon. Blessings.
How very honored I am to be blessed with a mother with such eye for beauty, depth of spirit and heart of hope. I love you mom….. ooui
Your entry gave me chills. What a powerful insight, and how I needed it! I’m not exactly thrilled with the end of Summer, either. Just can’t bear being cold. But it does have its blessings, as you’ve so wonderfully pointed out.
PS Your daughter’s name is Leilani? Makes me smile. Long time since I’ve heard the name, which is So beautiful.
All creatures are from Him. Even though we sometimes dread certain creatures they all have a place in the world just like we all do. Just that sooner or later we give that place up and as sorrowful as it is we that are left behind must move on. Yet one day we will all meet those that have left us whether they be human or creatures that we have loved in our lives. If you have the time try read “Return from Tomorrow”. Not sure who the author is but it is very powerful. Mahalo fo’ sharin’ with all of us.
Amazing post my dear friend. I love the photo and the thoughts you shared. Thanks for posting while I was mentally “away” lately!! (I’m playing catch up now!)
Aloha….
My heart aches to hear you lost your mother. No matter who else loves you, they don’t love you like your mother did. I understand so well because my mother was killed in an automobile accident a week before her birthday in May 2006. I miss her every day and my tears are for anyone who loses a parent. (My daddy died in September 2007). Thank you for sharing your insights and your faith with us. God bless you and Mele Kalikimaka.