tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4107587216459491535.post4879947069286304738..comments2019-02-03T13:24:28.536-06:00Comments on The Pink Persimmon: So...this sucks...Kalanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11748529540363379111noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4107587216459491535.post-12405643152842103352013-08-14T14:49:20.294-05:002013-08-14T14:49:20.294-05:00Thank you so much everyone. Niki...I freaking lov...Thank you so much everyone. Niki...I freaking love you. You crack me up, and I so appreciate your love and your friendship. And I am taking you up on the sporty business because, let's face it, we could both use a good laugh, and you're right...that would totally crack both of us up.<br /><br />POD...thank you for this and for being my dad and my biggest cheerleader. I know you're right...I'm not a victim, and I'm not helpless in this. I will draw on my stubborn nature and my strength and put my big girl pants on and move forward because that's what we do. I love you.<br /><br />Monica...I've seen some of your posts about Ova's knees, but I had no idea that it was arthritis. Or, maybe I did, but I had no reason to remember the specifics until I had the same problem. Haha. It's so funny how you and I have wound up sharing so many parallel experiences, don't you think? Love you tons, and I hope Ova's knees feel better. ;)<br /><br />COACH SPECHT!!! Thank you so, SO much for taking the time to write to me. It means so much, and you're right...I did need to hear those things coming from an old coach. Thank you for reminding me who I am and for your kindness and guidance. You're a true educator, and I appreciate everything you taught me. <br /><br />Again, thank you to everyone who commented. I love and appreciate you guys.Kalanihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11748529540363379111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4107587216459491535.post-48392175297196683352013-08-14T11:36:21.823-05:002013-08-14T11:36:21.823-05:00Kalani - I have not spoken with you in a LOOOONNG ...Kalani - I have not spoken with you in a LOOOONNG time ...way too long .However ,I do see some posts on here and see your wonderful family growing and have ALWAYS been amazed by your strength.I read this blog ,and the other responses ( have always respected ,admired and loved your dad and mom ) ...so i felt moved to add my 2 cents .Your kids are SO FORTUNATE to have you as a model as they grow .Playing is but a very small part of that process.I empathize with your pain -I ,too have struggled with knee issues since 1994 ,but have learned to manage .(Perhaps you can play water volleyball with them -less stress on your joints /) Anyway ....if I ever coached ANYONE who will battle through this setback and re-frame it -IT IS YOU .I have so many fond memories of your work ethic,your teamship,and your wisdom ,(Yes wisdom at a young age ) ....But the TWO BIG memories I have of you (and Sunny ) were when you two insisted on washing the dishes at our house after the pancake breakfast ,and of climbing on the bus after playing in the volleyball playoffs to join your team for basketball. Your strength and selflessness are things you will pass to your children ."Volleyball and sports are what you do -not who you are." You are an incredibly strong and independent lady and you needed to hear that from an old coach . Hope to stay in touch better . YOU CAN DO THIS !! All the best and love to all.steve spechtnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4107587216459491535.post-92035684078606748932013-08-14T00:10:38.402-05:002013-08-14T00:10:38.402-05:00I love love love love love what your dad wrote. A...I love love love love love what your dad wrote. And he's 100% right! I'm so sorry that you have to face this challenge, but you are such a strong person and you can get through it! I like how your dad said that it was the time spent with you that mattered....that's what will matter with your kids. Ova was diagnosed with the exact same thing as you. I'm sure you've read our struggles with it. (among other things) They told him his joints (hips, knees, ankles) are aging way faster than they should and just like you it is causing meniscule tears. His 'condition' gets to the point when he can't even walk or move for months. He struggles with the same thing that you are. I somewhat feel like I can relate because of what he's going through, although I don't feel the actual pain. My heart aches for you......I've seen him struggle with accepting the fact that he won't be able to play football or teach our kids rugby, but we're making it work. I know you will too! I'm all the way in Utah, but here for you if you need to talk or anything! You're an awesome mother and you're doing and amazing job raising your 5 beautiful babies on your own! Your condition isn't going to make you any less of a wonderful mother than you already are....just don't let it!! Love you Kalani!F-A-N-G-U-P-Ohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07255954539524456489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4107587216459491535.post-72182937786083324782013-08-13T16:22:47.220-05:002013-08-13T16:22:47.220-05:00Let me start by telling you how much I love you as...Let me start by telling you how much I love you as your dad. I have failed in many things but the one thing I have always been good at was being a dad. One of the things that I treasure most about our relationship is that we have always been honest with our words and expressions. It is the reason I was able to effectively coach you and Sunny. That being said, what you remember was the best I could do for you to prepare you for what was going to happen to you in life. What you remember isn't so much that i played with you but that I spent time with you. It wasn't that I physically taught you how to do things but that I was patient in letting you learn through trial and error and that you were always told that you can do anything and be anything you want if you want to put in the work. See if this phrase sounds familiar...Do not let one person decide for you if you can or can't do something. That decision is yours and yours alone. Remember when they questioned your height if you would be able to be effective as a middle in the WAC? How did that work out for you? I can go on and on with examples of your heart and will to accomplish anything your heart desired.<br />So here are my thoughts. 1. You are not a victim, never have been never will be. You are way too strong and stubborn to be one. Remember when the coach from Georgia came to recruit you and said...Kalani I notice that you are not as tall as a normal MB and you dont seem to jump very high but you seem to touch every ball and you were irritated and said...Uh I was taught to jump as hight as the ball. He just shook his head and said to me...She knows her shit.<br />2. The knowledge you have accumulated through sports is yours to reach as you have done so effectively. So your ability to share your knowledge with your kids will not be defined by your physical ability to play. Granted the fun times I hd playing with you guys are unforgettable memories. ok i may have have screwed up that point but I tried.<br />3. Well im kinda tired of writing and someone just called and offered me a job so I'll finish this later. But just put on your big girl pants and get on with it cause thats what we Tongas do. Love you Kalani. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />PODhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13577105088191260226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4107587216459491535.post-63377053118506839582013-08-13T15:40:23.676-05:002013-08-13T15:40:23.676-05:00Kalani, I love you!!! ......I am a little jealous...Kalani, I love you!!! ......I am a little jealous that you even WANT to play with your kids......I struggle almost daily with my calling to be a mom.....I sincerely HATE it. I've always admired how you've dealt with your overload of little kids and how you are able to find the good in your situation...and now this.....I'm so sorry.....my heart is breaking for you....I want so bad to make it better.......I'm not the sporty type, but I am more than willing to go with you and play with your kids with you in what ever capacity I can. Besides it will give you a good laugh to watch me attempt to do anything! Love you girl!!! Nikinoreply@blogger.com