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.
