Aloha South Shore community,
My father passed away and I had his old cowboy boots at my front door in memory of him. Every day I looked at his boots and could see him. He wore those boots every day.
This weekend the boots went missing.
When my father passed away last year, there were only a few items I wanted to bring back to Hawaii with me.
When he was admitted into Hospice, he had to remove the outfit he had on and put on the hospital garments.
When he calmly passed away I was with him. I waited a few minutes to muster the strength to call my brother and sister.
After we mourned together, the nurse handed me a bag with his clothes.
The handkerchief he had in his pants pocket was the same one he had when I was a small girl and would wash and iron it.
The belt and buckle he was wearing was his everyday belt and buckle he had for years.
His boots were not the fancy ones he wore for Stampede, or the shiny ones he wore to weddings. These boots were his everyday boots, that I used to borrow in the winter times when I visited.
Those were the three items I brought home with me.
I brought the boots and belt to the shoe shop in Lihue. I asked to have the belt taken in so I could wear it. The boots needed repair, but I just asked him to clean them up and give them some oil.
I proudly had my dad’s boots at my front door. It felt like he was here every time I left or came home.
I have no idea who would take them, or why. All I know is I need those boots back because they were part of my heart.
Please if you have them, please give them back. I will buy you a new pair of boots, no questions asked. I will offer a $200 reward, and no questions asked.
Those boots mean the world to me, please return them.
•••
M. Martin is a resident of Poipu.
I am sorry for your loss of your father….Kauai is no longer the welcoming ‘aloha’ island, just the green backs are invited.
If you have size 12/13, I have a pair of boots exactly like these. I will give them to you if you return the boots.
So sorry for the loss of your dad, but also the lost memories and soul carried through the sole of his boots. Such well worn personal items hold low monetary value, yet are priceless for surviving friends and family. My dad was a longtime Hanalei resident and my being in LA prevented me from being able to gather many very personal items from being tossed by extended family in their rush to prep the home for sale. I hope your message finds compassionate ears of what I hope was a mishap.
I truly hope those boots show up safe and sound on your doorstep.
It’s heartbreaking and even obscene to think someone is out there wearing those boots on their feet not knowing the history and significance it holds.
Good luck!
Dear M. Martin,
I just wanted you to know that I understand & pray that your belongings will be returned. When my grandmother passed away many years ago, we had her cremated and buried in the family plot with a nice ground level marker to identify the location of her cremains. When we returned the following summer to visit her graveside, we found that the marker AND her cremains had been stolen!! What anyone would want with a deceased person’s ashes is beyond my comprehension! I pray that you will get your deceased father’s belongings back. Keep your eyes open – you might one day see someone walking around in them!
A heart felt story. But in other cultures, here too, before. The whole body kept for one night in the home. Wake.
Oh My, I did not expect the love and aloha. Mahalo Nui Loa! Those boots mean the world to me. Your kind words lift me up.