Lions Farewell

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Ted Trimmer: "Magic Isle"

"What causes adolescents to rebel is not the assertion of authority but the arbitrary use of power, with little explanation of the rules and no involvement [of the adolescent] in the decision making." Laurence Steinberg & Ann Levine

"The skepticism of youth signals the beginning of a search for something actually worth trusting, both within one's own psyche and in the world. That's why teens, supposedly stuck in life's lost years, are often so unequivocal about what they love and what they hate, and so frustrated when they feel misunderstood. The adolescent spirit is not the spirit of the lost. It is the conviction that you are not lost - that wandering has a purpose, and that what you deserve more than anything is the freedom to walk awhile on your own path." Ann Powers




The Chinese New Year begins with a new moon, and the festival ends when the moon is full. That was last Sunday, and I just happened to be lucky enough to pass by the temple in time to see a ceremony that I never even knew about before. . .

Once more, the lions would dance to the gong, cymbal & big drum. . .


This time the lions were not invited to spread good luck and blessing. Rather it was their season's farewell performance; time for them to kneel at the altar and to receive a "well done" for all their hard work as emissaries of the Divine. . .

Emotion ran high. Primal music and incense filled the air. Next, the lions bowed to an elderly gentleman, paying their respects to the ancestors as they have for the ages since humankind's infancy on this planet. . . We fed them a few last dollars for their journey, as firecrackers laid red petals on the ground we trod. . .

They wandered the smokey grounds, seemingly saying "Aloha" to this material realm till next year. . .

They knelt at the outside altars, showing the bottom of their dear sneakers. . .

. . . "Goodbye. Please take our prayers to Heaven with you!"

Afterwards, the children were themselves again: laughing, joking, ready for the next stop of this special day. It's a school day tomorrow. . . here in our Honolulu.

A L O H A! Cloudia