Warning: Read first. You might not want to read this sad story to the children.
When we returned from Nakawakawa Sunday night, we received a text from President Bull that our beloved Sister Bulewa had passed away. She is the one we helped move her house up onto the hill. Yesterday, September 16, was an emotional day for us. We met others from our branch and Naduna, and I experienced my first ride in a big transport truck to go visit with her brother and her family. The ride was memorable. The cushioned benches were more comfortable and less bumpy than I would have imagined. Our hair was blowing in the wind. We stopped on the way, and Manasa Vunibola and Lorenzo Snow Baleiwasawasa ran and picked up the wooden casket. That was a little interesting riding in a huge truck with other people and an empty casket with a window where the face will show through.

President Bull took his own truck loaded with gifts – they had her new temple clothes to be buried in, plus huge bags of flour, sugar, rice, cassava, etc. and a huge 4 foot fish he had caught. The women brought new mats they had made.

Her brother lives on top of a big steep hill like Little Mountain. We drove most of the way and walked silently behind theempty casket the rest of the way. We sat on big tarps and mats they had prepared under a shelter. It was very ceremonial. Her brothers were at the head. The people who desired to speak, giving the presentation of the gifts and their condolences, took turns sitting Indian style before them. They clapped 4 times before they spoke and clapped again when they were finished. Everything was in Fijian so we understood little of what was said.

Next we walked to another building. Only the women went in. Her daughter Arieta, and other relatives were already inside. When we were all seated on a mat, the women covered their faces with towels or part of their shirts and the loud weeping and wailing began. Each was louder than a baby screaming. They cried until nothing more would come out. It was heart wrenching watching them sob with their whole bodies heaving in pain. This lasted for over twenty minutes. Then we sat in silence.

After a couple minutes, one lady from Naduna started sniffling again. Arieta went to her, threw her arms around her, and the two cried together with Arieta cradled in her arms.  My own tears came silently, yet freely, watching Arieta’s crying out loudly in pain at losing her mother. When they had cried it all out, the next woman started sobbing. Arieta went to three more and did the same thing. It was tender how they mourned together and tried to comfort each other. Then it was done.

As we walked out of the building, we saw Lucy, the one we had tried to help train to get a better job. She had been offered a job in Australia, but had stayed to be with her Mother. About four years ago, two weeks before Lucy left on her mission, her father had dropped over dead at the pulpit while bearing his testimony. I felt badly now that she had missed out on the previous crying session. She had tears, but it was as if she was trying to be the strong one and hold it all in. I could see how it would have helped her get it out and move on with her life. I’m sure today at the funeral on the other side of the island the wailing will happen again, and she will be part of it.

We walked back to the first place, and there was more clapping and talking and consoling. Then it was over, and we left in the big truck. It seemed somewhat empty without the casket at our feet. 
Sister Marica and Sister Salabogi helped dress and prepare her for burial. It was their tender gift to her. We will miss Sister Bulewa, but her pain is now gone, and she is  joined with her husband. She is the strongest, most humble women I have ever known. Even when she was suffering with untreated cancer, her only thought was for her children. She has a grown son Billy in Savusavu, Lusiana a Returned Missionary, a daughter Luisa on a mission in Guam, Arieta 18 who is planning on a mission after November, and a son Samuele 13. Now they are orphans. They will miss her presence and her compassion. 
I am so grateful that we believe in the Plan of Salvation that we know she is perfect and happy, and we will all meet again.

Hair blowing in the wind.

Sisters Fiu and Aumua were with us.

These women wanted their picture taken with Rex. The tall one by him is strong as a man. She let me take her arm to help me down a steep drop when the women went alone.

New Mats to fold together

Procession up the hill

Transport Truck