My favorite quote from Disney’s “Lilo and Stitch” is…. “Ohana means family. Family means no one gets left behind or forgotten.” My summer has been blessed with “Ohana”!! Our college age children Kyle and Ryan were home working this summer and our downsized empty nest was full!! It is wonderful to experience my children as they get older and wiser (yes they get wiser)…we had many interesting conversations about life and their plans for the future. Momma couldn’t be more proud as they navigate their way through life.
We recently got to experience “da kine” Ohana in Oahu with an amazing family vacation thanks to Lovey… (Mom). I have gained an appreciation for the precious time that I got to spend with my immediate and extended family. The highlights were the surprise luau that my brother Joseph and I hosted for my Mom’s 80th birthday. Her reaction was priceless and worth all the effort!! I also loved visiting my 91 year old Uncle Arthur… seeing him reminded me of how much I miss my Dad who has been gone now for 15 years. Beach bumming, walking, hiking, surfing, eating, eating, eating and hanging out with family made it the perfect vacation. I cherished the moments!
In googling the definition of “Ohana”, I read the following.. Ohana, the Hawaiian word for family, extends beyond core family to include both blood and informally-adopted kin. There are many benefits to belonging to an ohana, and there are responsibilities and obligations as well. First and foremost to behave responsibly with integrity, so your ohana is pleased to claim you. Now I understand why this Hawaiian word resonates loudly with me… ( not just because Dad was from Kauai) it’s because I can apply it’s meaning to all the Ohana families that I am blessed to be a part of…. New Image Dental Ohana, Girlfriends Ohana, Dental Masterminders Ohana, Kois tribe Ohana, Dentistry for Humanity Ohana and the list goes on.
If I approach being a part of these families with “Ohana” in mind… I will be a better version of myself.
So remember to be grateful for ALL the Ohanas in your life and ask yourself… are they pleased to claim you??
Leslie Strommer, DDS
7510 Hazard Center Drive, Suite 203
San Diego, CA 92108
619-280-9100
drleslie@newimagedentalcare.com
the tooth be told.... 