• Aging with elegance Aging with elegance By Duane Shimogawa Jr. – The Garden Island Just yesterday, another sign sparked my curiosity, but for some reason, I knew what to expect from the one I most look up to, especially
• Aging with elegance
Aging with elegance
By Duane Shimogawa Jr. – The Garden Island
Just yesterday, another sign sparked my curiosity, but for some reason, I knew what to expect from the one I most look up to, especially as I get older.
My sister, Shantelle, just turned the rightful age of 30, (The big three-oh, the out of twenties, so you’re not really that young anymore, and the age that makes one think of other things besides the actual number).
As I called her early yesterday, I noticed that she was busy, because she usually answers her phone, but this time, it took two calls to get through.
In fact, she called me back after two unsuccessful tries, one call on her cell phone and the other on the house phone.
Of course she knew what I was calling for, but this call seemed a bit different from the other birthday calls from the past.
To some, age is just a number, to others it symbolizes the sign of getting older, but to most of the population, numbers are only as important as what tooth-paste you use to brush your teeth.
Growing up, Shantelle, was the person I looked up to, besides my parents.
For one, she was my only sibling and not to mention, she was always bigger than me, so I had to listen and go along with her plans, because if I didn’t, she’d tower over me and make sure it worked out her way.
But to tell you the truth, I’m glad it turned out that way. She was always there for me and cut a path for me, just like a professional hiker does for a novice, when hiking the Kalalau trail.
In sports, academics, and in life, she displayed traits that would make any brother proud.
She was a well-rounded individual growing up. Shantelle played sports, raised just about everything for the 4-H club, joined extra-curricular activities, like the FFA, but still had time to tend to me, which was always seemed like a treat, even if she was trying to get me out of her hair and out of her presence, because of my relentless abilities to bug her.
At Big Save stores through-out the island back in the 80s, Shantelle’s picture, nursing a little piglet was featured near the butcher area.
I still see that picture every once in a while, because my grandparents on my mom’s side have it up on their patio wall.
You never know how much you appreciate your siblings, until you get older and I certainly can relate to that ever-so-popular saying, which is a fact that I started to learn when I went away for college.
It’s not that I needed someone to guide me through life’s struggles, but more importantly, it was the fact that she was always there for me, that astonishes me the most.
The greeting cards that she would send me, while in college made a difference.
It’s hard being away from family, but it’s easy to realize that you’ve got a big sister on your side for the rest of your life.
The best thing about Shantelle though, is the way she made the hard things in life, much easier for me.
She paved the way for me to go to college. Now an Island School kindergarten teacher for a number of years, Shantelle, a graduate of Chaminade University, showed me that perseverance pays off.
If you have an older sibling, you know what I’m talking about when I say that when you witness an older brother or sister completing a proud task, it takes you straight to that level and brings you much needed confidence.
And I’m proud to say that I’m confident that my sister will continue to be there for me, even if she reaches new heights, which includes the momentous age of 30!
