02/15/2021
Aloha my name is Margarette Pang and this is my story of HOPE which was the start of DCP.
When I was a child there were only a few people who are truly “special” and for me it was my tutu (grandmother). There are many things that she taught me while I was growing up and I would like to share some of those things with you. My tutu taught me how to BELIEVE in myself, have COMPASSION for others, and to be PROUD and not ashamed of whom I am. To UNDERSTAND my cultural background and know that what I do in life needs to come from my heart and not from my waha (mouth). I was a very special part of her life and she was a very special part of mine. She shared her most wonderful memories with me that not many have had the privilege to hear. I later realized that many of the stories she shared would be lessons of encouragement and inspiration throughout my life, lessons I continue to use till this day.
My tutu was born in 1892 and of Polynesian/Chinese descent. We resided in Nuʽuanu, and as a little girl I remember sitting before her on the parlor floor anxiously waiting for a new story, as I closed my eyes she spoke, and I became overwhelmed in her heavenly voice. The memories flowed from her lips and embraced me with every story, taking me to a whole new world, a world where I have never been before.
The Rose and the Wall Flower is one of my favorite stories. It speaks of how the Wall Flower is always trying to hurt the delicate rose. A Wall Flower will become our hurdles in life. They are the type of individuals that are always gossiping, targeting, harassing, cheating, pointing the finger, trying to cause harm to others, and never giving the Rose a chance. A Rose is special! It is delicate and doesn’t always survive, but with the right kind of love and care it will bloom into a beautiful flower. A Rose is unique and stands out from the rest. It brings JOY and HAPPINESS to those that appreciate its beauty and fragrance. But when someone tries to hurt or pick that Rose, they’ll get pricked by its thorns, its protection. Tutu would tell me that I was her Rose and she was my thorns, my protection. She often said “you will shine among the best, but be humbled from within, and always care for other Roses”. She said that my heart is the key to my future. She was right!
I have immense PASSION for what I have created and the work I do every day by helping others. I THANK GOD (ME KE AKUA) for blessing me with a special role model like my tutu. I miss and love her so much! I am blessed with my children who each share a special part of her, as well as myself. I recall as a child, the humiliation, ridicule, and shame I felt when I could not master reading, writing, or spelling like other children. I wanted so much to go to college, but never tried because of the fear of failing. I refused to be known as an embarrassment to my family. As a child, I was misled to believe that I was not as smart as others, but after having children of my own I could see the same struggles in them that I myself experienced. Their battles helped me face our challenges head on. I needed to find a way to help them, so my children and others, would not have to go through the horror of what I experienced.
“Education is so important for all of us! We all learn differently and are unique in our own special way. Unfortunately, our society is quick to judge us on our weaknesses instead of praising us for our strengths. This could “make or break” a child as they are growing up and effect their self-esteem through adulthood. Taking the time to look through the eyes of another is not much to ask, understanding them could make all the difference in the world, having compassion is rare. To know me is to love me not to hurt, abuse, or judge me” by Margarette PM Pang
