The green grass of Kapiolani Park
Good Morning, God!
Yesterday it was breakfast at the Hau Tree Lanai — a lovely bit of Old Hawaii. The ocean is always a delight to be near, but it was the incredible GREEN of the grass of Kapiolani Park that lodged in my memory.
I know that Michael Pollan said a lawn is nature under totalitarian rule, but the expanse of lawn at Kapiolani Park truly is a beautiful sight. I’m thankful for such lovely public areas.
I was looking through a book entitled, Waikiki: Images of Yesteryear 2 and discovered that the park was created in 1877 with 170 acres of wetlands, inlets, gardens, stately trees and a one-mile horse-racing track. Alas, mosquitoes loved the still waters and the park was drained into the Ala Wai canal.
I suppose, God, that if I had seen the park then, I might prefer it to the expanse of lovely lawn. I think I am happier not knowing what I am missing. Regret is a funny thing, God. I am sitting here imagining what the park might have looked like with its own little Make’e island and wondering whether they had swans swimming in the waterways.
How very like us humans to be so pleased with what IS and then in just a few minutes let regret slip in as we focus on what once was. Usually, I’m like the fox in Aesop’s Fables who — when he couldn’t reach the grapes — declared that they were probably sour. I guess I prefer the fox’s attitude of “making the best of things” as opposed to longing for and regretting what is gone — or never was.
Yet, at the same time, I am learning, God, to invest some time in deep sorrow — to feel — to hear my own inner feelings. Please help me God, not to be too Fox Like.
Story teller,
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