I thought of you today Fred, even before I realized it was your birthday. I had an interview today and I can hear your voice already and what you would tell me. How lucky I was to have you believing in me. Always sharing your magic, the very essence and light that gravitates people towards you. You continue to inspire me. I continue to pass down your words of wisdom to my daughters and those around me. You once wrote about experiencing divine awareness on your special beach and feeling overwhelming love and compassion and I can tell you, that is what I still feel when I think of you.
Five years ago I was in India and received the unbelievable news. I grew up across the street from Freddie. He was my babysitter and one of the first giants in my life! He was so funny, patient and really loved to read to me. I wasn’t good at sports in the grove like the other kids so he gave me a whistle and made me the score keeper…When I mover to Hawaii in 1979 he welcomed me to his home and I don’t think he ever knew I had a big crush on him…always my friend…
Fred played the guitar: On my 33rd birthday Fred gave me a choice: He would buy me a guitar, Or He would take me to Syracuse NY for a BB King and Bobby Blue Bland Concert. I chose the Concert. We had a great time. At the present I am 81 years old. And I have to guitars which I have yet to learn to play Fred was a great support for me during some really difficult times:
I still can't believe that Fred is no longer on this planet. After 5 years, it still seems so odd that I will never have the chance to see that smile and talk with him.
I was privileged to have Fred as my mentor and dear friend. He shined brightest for those in need of guidance and he always had a way of knowing just what to say in the moment that will stick. He taught me to be the same for my students and now my daughters. My daughter suffers from extreme anxiety at times so we created a wall of 3-D butterflies all flying in formation; taking a page from Fred’s wisdom on naturally having butterflies in your stomach and how we just need to channel it for its goodness. What a beautiful reminder on my wall of how lucky I was to have known Fred. My heart and prayers are with Fred’s family…may he always stay in our hearts.
Fred was somebody I admired greatly because he had an infectious passion. I am sorry I lost touch. The last time I saw him was meeting him for dinner in Honolulu decades ago.
We in Fred's family have been so glad to see these recent memories on the second anniversary of his passing. He certainly lives on with us, still every day, and it's not surprising to know he remains with many of his friends as well. We are grateful for your love and support. Carrie Bail, Fred's sister.
Ironically, I texted my friend today after reading an article on the Capitol rioters' clothing & symbols on their clothing and wondered if there is any link to a topic Fred encouraged me to research back in 90s dealing with at-risk boys. Back then, there was a lot of talk about the girls failing schools but not a lot on boys. In my text to my friend, I told her my mentor encouraged me to look into at-risk boys. I still think about Fred every now and then just as I did today, and I miss him so much. And yes, he made me music CDs too.
The things we learned from Fred pop up all the time. My sons were home for the holidays. Fred knew Zac and Coe since they were born. On Zac's last day here, he said, "Let's go to Fred's beach"--meaning Waimanalo. We parked where Fred told us to, so as to avoid being identified as outsiders. Yesterday, my husband Tracy and I were driving to the Ward area. At Pensacola and Nehoa, I said, "Turn left here. This is the way Fred said to go if you want to get to Ward the fastest." Tracy and I reflected on how helpful Fred was in big and small ways. He was a good person. I was lucky to have known him.
Fred was,I think, two years behind me at Bowdoin. I didn't know him too well there, but I liked him. After his beautiful passing I felt much closer as I heard, read, and felt the wonderful tributes. We are not good at seeing someone's spirituaity when we are youngsters in college. Somehow, somewhere, sometime Fred also gave me a music mix. I still have it. Was he at Lisa and Wai's wedding in MA? I'm practicing butterfly formations.
A wise man named Fred once said, “It’s ok to have butterflies in your stomach, so long as they’re flying in formation.” How helpful this has been for me just this week, coincidentally the week of your birthday. Your legacy lives on my dear friend. Me ke Aloha Pumehana, Rena