Funerals,
they say, are for the living, and so it was today, at Peter
Nakamura's memorial service, when his niece, Casey Nakamura, (Nadine's
daughter) delivered a eulogy that really made me think.
Casey,
a poised and intelligent 17-year-old, spoke of how Peter encouraged
her to read, and had long discussions with her on the wide range of subjects that someone who truly was a renaissance man could converse.
But
of all the many things she learned from Peter, she said, three really stood
out:
How
you say something can be just as important as what you say.
You
have to understand all sides of an issue before you form an opinion.
A
story may very well be the most effective form of communication we
have.
Those life teachings have stayed with me, as well as a quote from Abraham Lincoln that Mike
Belles, in his eulogy, said was one of Peter's favorites:
We
are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion
may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection. The
mystic chords of memory will swell when again touched, as surely they
will be, by the better angels of our nature.
In
the often jagged, caustic world of politics where many of us are
immersed, or occasionally dip, and at a time when the bonds
of our small community have been severely strained, those are good words to live by and remember.
Mahalo, Peter, for striving for goodness, and devoting so much of your life energy to public service.
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5 comments:
Thank you Joan for posting this,
many people forget that there are some fine individuals in government-
Peter was a good, honest and fair man.
Yes, when I would rail about some self-serving politician or slack govt worker he would say, "We're not all like that, Joan Conrow. Some of us do believe in public service."
Peter was the most devoted public service man on Kauai. He had so much integrity and a ready understanding smile. He will be missed and remembered.
Peter's passing is a big loss to the county. He was such an honest and dedicated public servant. Wish there were more people like him working in the county.
wise words from a kapaa hs student. nice to hear of the way that people move each other through words, deeds and memories. rest in peace peter and enjoy your long due retirement.
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