This past week I had to travel to the island of Hawaii for work and was blessed to have the hospitality of friends for my accommodations. It started on Wednesday with a long line at the rental car agency, then meetings in Kona, and then a long scenic drive up to Waimea where I was welcomed by a friend who I have known since we were in elementary school and attending summer church camps together. She was also one of my bridesmaids and while we don’t get to see each other often we keep in touch via Facebook. But this meeting was extra special as I finally got to meet her wonderful husband and stay in the beautiful home they built. We spent a couple of hours talking about old times, current times, and our hopes for the future.

The next morning I had another meeting at the same place where she volunteers and she stopped by to give me one more hug before we parted. After that meeting was over I was on the road again for the long drive down the Hamakua coast to Hilo. Again, good friends provided me with a comfortable place to sleep, but more than that they provided good company, and oh, yes, good food. While I haven’t known them quite as long, their friendship is a treasure. Each day, it was so comforting to know that I was headed to those places of aloha, where hospitality is freely given. Yes, I am blessed, and mahalo dear friends.

a hui hou…