While it has a plethora of great meanings... I have always understood it to essentially mean "Hello Goodbye"... and that is so Profound!

For me... I have always hated to say "Goodbye"... even though I am really saying "Goodbye (for now)". Somehow... It just sounds so "Final". And "Endings" have never been My Forte. I have always been good at "Beginnings" and Starting New Ventures and Projects... and Meeting New People. But Partings and "Finalizing" anything has always been hard for Me to do. Why... I'm not sure? Maybe it's a Piscean Thing?

So... Saying "Aloha" has always been to Me an easier parting gesture than the conventional "Goodbye". Plus, it has a certain "Romantic" air to it... invoking Visions of Tropical Islands and Palm Trees and the sound of Ocean Waves kissing the Glistening Sands of a Serene and Solemn Beach. And then there's those Beautiful Hawaiian Hula Girls! ☺

But alas...

We all have to Die sometime. It's just a matter of "When & Where & How".  Sooner or Later... We All have to Say "Goodbye" to this Blissfully Cruel World... and Say "Hello" to a New World... and a New Adventure. So... "Aloha" is a very Appropriate and Profound Salutation on leaving this World.

Therefore... in Preparation and Expectation of My eventual "Final Demise"... I Sincerely and Passionately say to You & Yours...
 

"Aloha"

May The Force be With Us

On January 21, 2009... I was diagnosed with an "Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm". While this condition is not necessarily "Final" in the immediate sense... it definitely increases My odds of Dying in the next year or so. With the surgical insertion of a "Stint"... My Life Expectancy is predicted to be increased from 2 to 10  years... assuming I Survive the operation.

At this time... I haven't decided whether to have the operation or not. In a way... this "Aneurysm" may actually be a "Blessing in Disguise". My Father suffered for 3 years with Aneurysms around his heart... before inevitably Dying. My mother has Parkinson Disease and has been in a Nursing Home for over 5 years with no real Quality of Life. She will probably live many more years in this "State of Existence" before her eventual Death. Why?

Do I want to Live and Die like My Father and Mother in their waning years? "NO"... I Don't! And I have a Choice. Why prolong the Inevitable... which is going to happen Sooner than Later anyway?

Looking back... I have had a Full Life... and I don't have any Real Complaints or Regrets. Sure, there is a lot more I would like to do and accomplish. I have many Dreams and Aspirations that will go Unfulfilled. But that will always be the case... no matter when I Die. The same is True for All of Us.

My Life today though has been dramatically affected by this Turn of Events. Everything has more Meaning and Significance. Life seems more Precious. And I really do "Live each Day as if It were My Last"... 'cause it very well may be.

It is said that "The Secret of Successful Living is to take the Lemons that Life gives You... and make Lemonade". I think I am Learning to Do Just That!
 

Want a Glass of Life's Lemonade???