We set ourselves on a mission that morning to go for a group hike on our last day in Hawaii together. Our group consisted of my 1-year old baby daughter, our parents, my husband and and our other two children. We were a big group of all generations!

Our mission: see a waterfall. Be together.

When we realized the hike was up a mountain and it was rainy and cold, I offered to stay back with the baby. I was skeptical, but my husband kindly offered to pick up the baby and hike. Everyone said let's all try together. One step at a time. Let's see.

Up we walked together. The rain continued to fall.

When we walked a little way, our first view of the mountains and trees took our breath away. Lush foliage. Overlapping tree branches. The sound of rain. Streaming water. So much greenery. Wow this must be what nirvana feels like!

This was the first moment I knew this hike was going to be magical.

It was SO special to be together. My parents. My children. My beloved. All together. Will this opportunity ever rise again? Parents and children hiking together. My beloved ones.

Still some doubt would begin to set in. Could we all endure this walk together? Would it be too much for us? Would we get wet and cold? Would someone fall?

But off we went. Wow. Wow. Wow. More greenery. More lushness. We were hiking in a beautiful, tropical mountain.

One step at a time.

We said let's see how far we can go....Maybe we can't do it all but we will try.

The hike got steeper and steeper. Huge slippery rocks.

Rain began to poor pretty hard.

I was worried at times. Children slipping. What if an elder fell? At one point we stopped and saw so many slippery steep rocks and we all looked scared. I felt responsible for everyone. Plus I'm not the best hiker by any means.

A magical thing happened. So many new friends showed up! They were strangers on the hike yet so friendly and encouraging!

One kind woman gave my mom a walking bamboo stick in the beginning . "You can do this but you may need this," she said with a bit of excitement and concern on her face. That stick was a savior!

Another young lady going much faster than us held out hand to my mother to help her up a step up a steep step.

We were much slower than the others , yet so many let us pass and no one made us feel bad about it.

We asked several people "are we there yet? Getting close?" And they said "oh it's like 10 minutes!" With big smiles.

They would say all of this to us....

"you are almost there! "

"Oh you made it this far, so you can make it to the end!"

"It's just right there..."

One time me and my dad looked at each other and laughed: how come everyone keeps saying the same thing?!!! It can't be 10 minutes to the end every time!

One guy was a little bit more negative and concerned, but somehow he didn't have too much of an impact on us. After his stern warnings, he called me young lady and then I felt happy to be called that! ha!

Many told us "be careful of the rocks!"

But it's ok you can do it, they kept saying.

And how many beautiful mountains, plants and trees, overlapping branches, and streams to see along the way. My fear would always fade when I saw those mountains. And that beautiful canopy of trees, protecting us from the rain

I couldn't help notice how positive my dad was-being the eldest of our group. It was a steep hike for anyone. He was making jokes. Loving how the kids were hiking. Just so much reverence for nature. Very much how he has approached everything in his life. Work hard, but enjoy the ride. Laugh. Connect with people. He didn't always know what the waterfall would look like he was walking toward, but he believed in the magic of big dreams.

I felt immensely lucky for this moment- to be hiking with him.

It was also my baby daughters first hike. It was very symbolic and appropriate this would be her first. She is quite a courageous lioness already. She will set her sights on waterfalls and approach with calm strength. She may carry our whole family. I see that resolve in her. Even at 1 years old.

How special for the youngest and eldest to be with us on this hike.

My son and father n' law hiked up and down with relatively ease and confidence as hiking buddies. They don't make a fuss. One step at a time, they did it together, holding hands. I admire the ease and determination they both share and how they helped each other. Even the hard moments, they were confident. Hope they go on many hikes together, I secretly thought. And I can see that confidence and determination in both of their lives.

My older daughter expressed her concerns the most verbally. She was worried about the rain and mud and slippery slopes. She kept making sure we were all together. She was worried all the way there and most of the way back. Bless her. I found myself aware that I might be getting slightly irritated by the comments, but was grateful to be aware of that irritation. I gained some clarity on my role with her: be very patient with her, and don't make her feel bad that she may be more sensitive to her environment, and simply cheer her on. Probably a good metaphor for how to be with her in life. I noticed she always feels at ease when she knows we are all in it together. I knew this was going to be a win for her to finish this, and was looking forward to celebrating that moment with her.

My husband carried the baby all the way up and down. Several miles. In the rain. That's how hard my guy will work for us. Without a complaint. We looked at each other and hi-fived each other at the end. "This was pretty special, huh babe? "I said yeah it was. He said he was proud of me and I said the same thing to him. These days with how hard we work, we don't get long stretches of time to be together, but a hi-five and sparkles in our eyes goes a long way. I feel lucky that he is my teammate and knew we could do this together.

My mom did great too. One step at a time. We had a big smile together as we took a selfie next to the waterfall. Hope i remember this moment forever, I thought. That's my mom. Never have to do anything but just be myself with her.

I carry a lot on my plate, and even though I truly love my work as a mom and social change leader, I need to admit sometimes I'm tired. Long days. A lot of responsibility. I came to Hawaii to feel connected to the land and my family and myself and to relax, yet it wasn't coming so easily at first. I noticed first just how tired I was. Just the sheer doing of mothering.... Of trying to the heal the world...Heal me....Of taking care of others... Of feeling the weight of the world...

But in our last day, I was given this gift of this magical hike. I will never forget it.

So many lessons.

So many gratitudes...

I'm grateful that I'm not on this journey alone. I have my family but I also need to remember that there are kind strangers always there along the way. Just look for them. If you find these well-wishers, they encourage you and when you meet the occasional naysayers, it's ok to nod to them but we don't have to mind them, even if they are loud.

I'm grateful to have elders who have walked the path already.

i am grateful that we had no clear leader. We were all leaders with a common vision.

I'm grateful to learn about parenting by witnessing my children climb up beautiful mountains and asking myself what do they need and what gives them joy along the way. You can learn so much about them by watching how they face obstacles.

I'm grateful to find magical waterfalls and keep going on them together in family and in community. I'm grateful to be a dreamer. This hike meant something because it was not easy and we accomplished it together. Keep discovering those magical waterfalls.

I'm grateful for the lesson that you can really do anything if you simply hold hands and help each other up and support each other along the way. One step at a time.

The waterfall was beautiful at the end...majestic and huge....but honestly it doesn't compare to the journey of hiking up and back together as a family. I will never forget it.

I will always be grateful for this moment. Thank you to the falls and and the beautiful land and aloha spirit.