SISTER-SISTER

My parents were married on June 16, 1984 and a little over 9 months later they gave birth to their little princess, DELILAH VIRGINIA VAITAI. Mom says she was planned from the beginning and the rest of us were all accidents (yes, that's mom's lovely humor we love), but regardless, this is one blessing our entire family is grateful for...no doubt!

Lila is 14 months older than me and ever since I can remember, she's always been a humble and cheerful person. You'll notice in the slideshow below that she's always wearing a smile. That's probably why people always say, "SHE'S THE NICER ONE". Two peas in a pod we have been and I've been truly lucky to have this little lady to look up to over the last 25 years (meaning she's 26 if you can't do the math ;). LoL. jk.)

But seriously, we're total opposites yet alike in so many ways and I love it! As I mentioned in my blog below on my mom's birthday, mom always taught me that Lila is the oldest and what Lila says, goes. I never really understood this when I was younger, but as I continue to mature and grow, I understand it completely and am grateful to a mother and grandmother who emphasized it so strongly at a young age. What I learned most from it is to have respect for elders. Even during times where I've gone blind of this lesson, I am grateful that Lila has been who she is: humble, quiet, forgiving and loving. Thank you!

When I said earlier that she was mom and dad's little princess, I wasn't joking. If you want to know what a daddy's girl is, here's the prime example. Some people say that women can't change men, but I beg to differ. I've seen this lady change my father ever since she was young. Our entire family will tell you how she has had this man wrapped around her finger since she was born. It's no wonder that she's just as humble as him and why she smiles just as much. Sigh. Envy much? haha.

Lila knows that when she wants something badly enough, Dad's the one to run to. Growing up it  was always: Dad, can I have new shoes? Dad, I'm hungry. Dad, dad, dad...And EVERY time, Dad fulfilled her wish. Their bond is truly one of a kind and I'm sure anyone who knows our family can testify.

When our parents, aunts and uncles or close friends refer to Lila, they always say she's a child at heart. Most times, due to the Tongan translation, I think she takes it as an insult; as in she's immature and what not, but I've come to realize that it's actually far from that. Instead, I see it as she's innocent and sweet and sees life/things in its purest form. At the end of the day, she only wants peace and happiness.

Goodness, if there's anyone who could attest to this, it'd have to be her "son" figure, Malini. From the fresh J's to the skinny jeans, games to outings, she's all about him. She's always willing to give of whatever she has and hates to speak badly of others too. Childlike in a manner that our Father in Heaven definitely approves. If only I could be more like her.

Before this becomes a full biography, let me just name a few things I admire, love and appreciate about my sister:

1. Mom was right, I can't trust anyone except for my sister. Through thick and thin, ins and outs...it's only her!
2. Talk about talent: a voice that I never get sick of listening to sing and her ability to play the piano and guitar...#jealous


[an original she wrote a few years back]

3. Epitomy of cool, calm and collected: she knows how to hold her emotions together. Therefore, when she's mad, SHE'S MAD and you know you've gone too far. Yikes!

4. She may be a princess, but she's no stranger to hard work. Anyone who could easily have it "their" way and still push forth an effort to get theirs is definitely a humble person (in my opnion).

5. I totally appreciate her laugh. (This goes along with the child at heart talk) Dang, when this girl laughs, she llllaaauuugghhhsss. haha. Everytime I think of this girl laughing, it's the laughing so hard you cry laugh. smh.

6. Fashionista. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I'm sooooo blessed/lucky to have my sister. She loves buying shoes and clothes and there's no way she's gonna have a scrubby sister walking around so guess who gets new clothes and shoes too??? Yessir...MWAH! haha.

7. Miss Fit! When I said we're total opposites yet so alike, this would be the opposite side. This girl is such a marathon runner and I'm the expired athlete who thinks running is such a foreign concept. If only I still had my knees, I'd be two-piece ready like her. Sigh.

I guess to sum it all up, Delilah Virginia is no doubt one of the BEST ladies in my life. She's got everything I want to be and more and I'm lucky to have her as an older sister. I have no doubt that my brother's wouldn't agree more. Together we make our Fantastic Four crew and to know that we'll be eternal is the icing on the cake.

As I was gathering pictures for a brief slide show, I was reaffirmed of the lovely person she is and of the smile she always carries. Thank you Lord for blessing Delilah Virginia in my life and thank you mom and dad for bringing her into our family. I Love you Lila!

Happy 49th Birthday Mom!

It is my hope that everyone both on Earth and in Heaven are as blessed as I am in this life and in the life to come. "Why?" you might ask...because of THIS LADY:

On March 14, 1962 she was born to goodly parents and boy am I grateful! If it weren't for her, I wouldn't be here and I wouldn't be who I am today. Lolohea (Moungaloa) Vaitai is the woman I call mother, teacher, friend and example...and I want to wish her a Happy 49th Birthday!

In my short life, she has taught me everything I know.  She never ceases to amaze me with her quick intuition. I've never known anyone to be as prepared for things both spiritual and temporal and I only hope to be half the woman she is when I become a wife and mother.

The term, "She's her mother's daughter", couldn't be better said when referring to the two of us. My sister like's to call my relationship with my mom a "mirror-image". We are in fact, one in the same...and even though I am teased and mocked for it, I'm grateful.

I'm blessed to have had my mom in my life and for all the memories I have of her. At times, I sit and try to imagine my life without her. The tears run down my cheeks, my eyes flood and my heart nearly stops at the thought, but it is also something that helps me to stay grounded, appreciative, but also to prepare for the inevitable.

Mom, you are the one lady I can trust to love me unconditionally, to keep it real and to lift me up when I'm down. Because of our relationship, you have taught me many important life lessons. Although there are many, these are my top favorites:

1. Always be honest.

2. Love & respect your sister - "No matter what, your sister is your sister. She's the oldest and because of that, she is blessed from Heaven above with a birthright that you and your brothers cannot take away. What she says goes, right or wrong." This has been a lesson I truly cherish because my relationship with my sister is similar to that of ours. I know that I will always have my sister. I'm grateful for that lesson you taught me at an early age to love and respect my sister, especially since she's my ONLY sister. Thank you Mom!

3. Teaching me to love and honor my brothers - Oh, you and your prince's. Sigh. For you to have such handsome and good boys has definitely made it easier for me to follow through with this lesson mom. haha. Thank you for blessing me with such awesome siblings. You have great sons and I'm grateful to you for raising such amazing men. Our relationship as siblings is what it is because you taught us girls to be close just as you taught the boys. And because of that, we as a whole are just that as well. I know they will be great Father's & Husbands one day because of you.

4. Respect for family and superiors - Goodness, where to begin with this mom? You portray this strongest when caring and dedicating your time and talents to Dad's family. I never would have learned this lesson had you not showed us it's truest meaning continuously throughout our lives. I know it is something you were raised with and were able to witness firsthand from Grandma Siosi, but I'm grateful that you have taught us the same. I will without a doubt teach my kids the same lesson for their Father's family when the time comes (hopefully sooner rather than later...I know you're ready to be a Grandma. Haha). Lesson learned: when with Dad's family, take rank and back down.

5. Work hard to get the best you can, but never think that you're better than anyone else - Yes, it's true Mom. No matter how much you may achieve, earn or make in this life, it should never make you think you're better than anyone else. Never put anyone down! Thank you Mom. I have heard you and Dad make this statement repeatedly throughout my life and I am humbled by such teaching to keep us kids grounded.

Obviously these are just a few of the things you've taught me. In addition to everything you have taught me, I'm grateful for your humor. Such a goofball/comedian just when we need. I can't even count the number of stories I've told my friends over the year that have totally made you a hit with them. You're definitely one-of-a-kind and I wouldn't have it any other way.

The last thing I'd like to thank you for is your acceptance of The Gospel of Jesus Christ. Because of it, you are an even greater asset to our family. Your willingness to join the Church, help strengthen dad's testimony of it and decision to raise us in the Gospel has led us to becoming an eternal family. It is such a joy to know that if we live righteously, we will have the opportunity to live eternally and not just here on Earth. I'm grateful for the family to which you and dad have brought me into and I'm sure the rest of the kids would surely agree. Mom, you are a treasure in each of our hearts and we're proud to call you Mother. May this birthday bring you all the joy you so desire with many more to come. HAPPY BIRTHDAY! 

 

Love always,

 

Lavinia V. Vaitai