Gone Too Soon....

A year ago today, our brother Nick left us physically. I can't express the way I felt when I got the call. We were just with him the night before and I thought Teuila was making something up. We were in Las Vegas for Teuila and Sea's wedding reception and that morning I woke up to over a dozen missed calls and numerous text messages. I called Teuila right away and she told me that Tuau had died. All I heard was wailing in the background. I've never heard grown men cry like that. I've never had that "punch-in-the-gut" type feeling before. I was with Ray that morning and I just collapsed on the ground. I just cried and cried and cried. I didn't know what else to do. We were just with him having the best time together, all of our cousins and family together for the first time in a long time. Smiling, laughing, joking.

The last thing I talked to Tuau about was me marrying Ray. All Tuau cared about was that I had found someone who was good to me and who was a good man. So typical of him, because he said he didn't care how big Ray was he would kick his butt. He was like this with all us girls. He met Ray for the first time and hung out and talked to him for a little bit and then came over to me and said he approved and gave me a big hug and said he'd be at the wedding. That was the last time I talked to him. I wish I hugged him a little bit longer and told him I loved him one more time. That night he only cared about how everyone else was feeling, he made his rounds to everyone and made sure to tell everyone he loved them. If we only knew why!!!!!

Tuau had such a big heart, mostly for the love of his life, his daughter Kalee. Who is resembling him more and more as she gets older. Not only in her looks, but also her attitude :) We're so grateful to have Kalee with us, my only hope is that this little angel will know how much her Dad loved her and what a hard worker and humble being he was.

His family was his life. I think that's the hardest thing for most of us to cope with, it's because we come from such a large, tight-knit family that the thought of one of us feeling so alone kills us inside.

There's not a day that goes by that I don't think of Tuau. The goofy things he used to do, the time Uncle Ti was going to whoop him and Tuau put on like 10 layers of clothes except he didn't cover his feet so his feet got whooped. LOL. How he would punk any guy I would walk down the hall with in high school and make it hell to date anyone. How he was so quiet yet so hilarious. I miss him! I miss him at family functions and seeing him with Kalee. Our family will never be the same and it hasn't been since that day. I'm grateful to know that I WILL see him again someday. I know he is at peace now, I know he is resting and I know he is HAPPY!

We all miss you so much, our hearts ache for you each day and we never ever will forget you. I can't believe it's been a year. I hope you know how much you are loved and I'm so sorry I didn't do more to let you know that. We love you so much and miss you even more and just know we love Kalee....for she is you!

Ia manuia lou malaga!