My Dearest Aunty Lahi

Ana Fifita Kaumatule April 19, 1956- August 8, 2015

Ana Fifita Kaumatule departed this life on August 8th, 2015 in the home of my parents in Garden Grove, CA with some of her family members by her side.

Ana was born in Kanokupolu, Tonga on April 19, 1956 to proud parents, Alamoti 'Akau'ola and Sifa Tulikihihifo. She was seven of thirteen children.

Ana is survived by her husband Langi Kaumatule, son Lopeti Sosaia Kaumatule, two brothers, eight sisters, nieces and nephews.

Ana loved her family dearly. She traveled around during her last final years from Tonga, Australia, Nevada, California, Virgina, and Utah.

My family and I had the wonderful opportunity to attend Lahi's funeral service. Her name is Ana, but because one of my cousin's is named after Ana, we refer aunty Ana as Ana Lahi because Lahi is the Tongan meaning for bigger or older. We've been calling her aunty Lahi since. 

I remember Lahi always being so supportive. Any church or family function Lahi was there. She was helpful whenever she heard one of her siblings were ill or a sibling needed a hand. I recall Lahi being so close to all her brothers and sisters. She was like a mother to all her nieces and nephews. I do remember Lahi always giving us a bath when we were children and she literally scrubbed the dirtiness off our skin. She was always clean and I know she scrubbed us so hard because she loved us and wanted us to be clean. Lol. In every family there's always that mean uncle or aunt; when I was younger I thought Lahi was that aunt. As I matured and grew to know Lahi, I became closer to her and I loved the comfort she always made me feel whenever I was around her.

When Lahi adopted her son Lopeti, we cared and watched Lopeti for about 5 or so months. Lahi was living in Arizona at the time and had a job, so while Lahi went back to AZ to figure things out she left Lopeti with us since she didn't have a sitter to watch him. He became like a little brother to us and we always looked forward to come back from school to be with him. When my mom went to work, I would take care of Peti. Lopeti was the first baby I took care of and I enjoyed bathing him and taking him to my young women's and Sunday school classes on Sunday when my mom had to work Sunday's. It was heartbreaking for all of us when Lahi was ready to have him. It's funny to watch Lopeti now and we enjoy whenever he's present in our home. 

When Tina was about 10 months old, she and I took a trip to Cali to visit my parents. Lahi and Lopeti were living with them at the time and Tina enjoyed Lahi's company. Tina was just beginning to walk and Lahi would take Tina on walks to help her improve her balance. I can still remember Lahi's laugh whenever Tina would swim with Lopeti. Lopeti loves being with little children, but sometimes he gets a little to carried a way and the kids get irritated, like Tina did. So whenever she and Peti would swim, Tina didn't like when Peti would help her and Lahi laughed out loud to see the expression on Tina's face.

I was honored to help Lahi get dressed along side Ana Leka, my mom, Ala, Luse, and Melise. I was a little hesistant to do Lahi's make-up when asked because I never want to feel like I'm taking anyone's place. I've never dressed or help dress a dead person or even apply make up to one. I was nervous because I didn't know how I would react if I saw Lahi laying there especially since I was still trying to comprehend the fact that she was gone. Before we did dress her, my mom and I said a prayer. Being able to dress my aunty Lahi was a wonderful experience. I was filled with so much emotion, but I knew if I cried I wouldn't have been able to apply her make up. The funeral service was beautiful. I bawled listening to Tongan hymns being sung as I watched Lahi lay in her casket and as I watched other family members mourn.

Oh Lahi! I just can't believe it! It's still so unreal to me that you're gone. I can go on about the times we shared and how much you meant to us all, but even though you're gone, you'll always have a special place in my heart and in the hearts of many! I love you Lahi! 

Until we meet again...

I love this picture. I can hear her laugh and this laugh was her LOL laugh. Haha