Pāhonoa te oro

We had $12 left and 3 days to survive. I remember my mom counting coins, smiling like it was a game. That night, the power went out. We lit candles and told stories. I didn’t know she hadn’t eaten in two days. She kept saying she wasn’t hungry. Years later, I understand—she wasn’t just keeping us alive, she was protecting our childhoods. If your family’s struggling, hold on. It won’t always be this way.