Welcome and hello. I have had a whole year, and some, as I thought out this project. My biggest setback was myself, not having the confidence. I am not a writer, am new to using the internet in such a way, to memorialize someone. How will it be received, if at all? What will be the criticism? Who would even follow? Questions, questions, and more questions results in lingering doubts, and no production.  An interest is only that when not worked on right?

Sometimes something happens to bring a spark. All America had probably got wind of a sensational young man who had a passion (singing), put his hat in a very competitive show, and became a household name. Yes, I am talking about William (IAM) Tongi who won this year’s American Idol competition. I don’t watch television, so I didn’t get hold of the frenzy until the finals. In just one night, I rewound IAM’s journey, and it was amazing. The audition song, Monsters by James Blunt (emotional touching song), was enough to pique the interest and the rest is history, with plenty of tears that went along with it. I was extremely proud of this young man. Losing his father, yet fulfilling his fathers dream of him entering the show took a lot of courage.  He probably didn't think much of it yet,  look at the results! Reading the amasses of comments was so enjoyable to me. He was the spark, the healing, that no one thought he’d bring. Yes, he did! These are some things (of thousands and thousands) said of IAM.

“I didn't lose my dad because I never had one. But this song hits me in a different way and I've been crying my heart out for hours, because I have a son, and I just wish I can someday be such an inspiring figure for him the way Rodney was and still is for Iam”

“I lost my dad 18 years ago this song hit me hard. My dad was everything to me”.

“I've seen war. I've seen killing in front of me. I've seen the inside of a prison cell. Been through a lot to make it where I am and who I am. But this man made that little boy in me come out and cry himself like a baby. The power of music can rock even the mightiest of mountains”.

“Have not watched American idol in years, I am from Ireland and oh my god this young man is just an angel on this earth with a voice so beautiful, I don’t think a song has ever really hit me this hard” .

“My father and I rarely see eye to eye, yet after hearing your performance, I have a newfound love and respect for him. I take him for granted when he's always had my back even though we had many disagreements before”.

“As a retired English teacher, I would just like to acknowledge the story telling quality. The definition of heartfelt and poignancy”.

“This kid is an Angel, helping millions grieve”.

“He won bcs he was authentically and genuinely himself. He stayed true to himself, delivering right from his soul which in turn pulled and crushed and healed every other hurting painful soul that listens to him”.

“This performance resonates with anyone who has ever had to say good bye to their dad”.

“I am a 45 year old woman, sitting at my dining table in a little village in northern England... crying into  my soul. The delivery was mastery”.

“I cried like a baby. “Wont read you your wrongs or your rights” “no need to forgive no need to forget” that hits so deep, never had a good relationship with my father, he was so hard on me and the rest of my family, more than he had to be, and never cared to make a good connection between us. But i care about him and if anything ever happened to him i would be really sad. So those lines there describe how i would feel if he were to pass”.

“Look at us, everyone in the comments, appreciating this talented voice....Many of us from different backgrounds, nationalities, countries, but yet here we are feeling the same feelings I’m sure. How beautiful us humans are and how we can come together” ...

I mean, these are so beautiful. I might be very sentimental but when I hear of people being encouraged, it really makes me feel so happy.

Often, in life, we are sparked with an idea or a passion.  The idea of a memoir via online came when I was in a deep grieving part of my life after my dearest love Fono passed away. It felt so wrong that I was living. He should live, he had more to give, he can do greater things for humanity. I was beat up in my sorrow, physically and mentally. As the time approached of memorializing his one year of passing (as many Samoan families do), I was even more burdened and aggrieved. I wanted him remembered, but in a meaningful way. When I thought out the scholarship in his name, as well as sharing his life, it was like a lift of my spirits. Unlike usual year remembrances, I held a church service which I knew in my heart is what he’d appreciate. The rest? Many many months later, here it is.

Just as IAM Tongi put it out there with his passion, so begins this journey. His was very successful. I am looking for a single inspired. Through anecdotes, sharing Fono’s life, as well as various topics that is meaningful to any of us living, the hope through this project is to spark interest so that we can empower ourselves with our voices, to engage conversations, and to embrace our shared values.

Faafetai tele, thank you so much. Welcome.

https://youtu.be/M9hdHDXyo-8