Interesting Islanders

Introducing Barbara Steingasser

By Karen Welsh

City sidewalks. Busy sidewalks. Overcrowded Stores. Bah humbug.
It was an unusually blustery day. The winds were restless and howling from a cold front had just arrived in East Hawaii, making the hustle and bustle of the holiday season slightly more unbearable. At least that's the way I felt the other day when leaving Hilo's Wally World with a headache and a wallet devoid of everything, except a few straggling pieces of blue lint.
Then I heard the familiar ting-a-ling of the Salvation Army red kettle ringer and a gigantic feeling of apprehension rushed over me.
Then, the glass doors opened, and both a big gust of frigid air and Barbara Steingasser enveloped me with a passion. This 52-years-young gal was out there, wind blown, but smiling and steadily ringing the bell. She never missed a beat, blessing each and every person walking out of the store, complimenting some, wishing a happy holiday to others.
Barbara's eyes spoke too. The beautiful pair of gold and green pupils simply twinkled with delight and magically I was transformed from a weary woman with a long "to-do" list to someone infused with a renewed Christmas spirit.
After unloading Christmas wares into the car, I was compelled to come back and watch Barbara lift young keiki up to the bucket so they could drop in their change.
"Thank you very much," she said. "And, Merry Christmas to you."
Barbara was so perky, working with such a fervor that it was shocking to find out she was at the end of a long six hour shift.
This wasn't her first day on the job. Oh no. For more than two weeks Barbara has tirelessly worked in the rain, sunshine and wind at various locations throughout Hilo.
And, she's relished every moment of it.
"It's just a nice little thing to do at Christmas," Barbara said. "It's much better than shopping. I find it really pleasant. I get a lot of wonderful smiles back and it feels really good at the end of the day. It's a rewarding feeling."
That's a pretty upbeat attitude from someone who left everything familiar to her in San Antonio, Texas to come and live in the islands this past September.
"I've come into the second part of my life," Barbara said. "I guess you could look at it that way. My daughter got married and I paid off all my bills and I said, 'This is my time, where do I want to live,' and it was Hilo because it's the most beautiful place I've ever been and it is filled with aloha."
For Barbara, one of the greatest joys of ringing the bell and filling the red kettle is the opportunity to meet interesting people.
"I've met happy people who are homeless and unhappy people getting out of their SUV's," she said. "If everybody could see the beauty in everything they see and take the time to see it's how you view the world. It's all a matter of perspective. It's how you look at it. It's how you see the world. What you're looking for is what you get."
After talking with Barbara for a few moments it's easy to see why she is ringing with joy. Her positive attitude comes from a life overflowing with something money can't buy.
"Every morning I wake up and make a choice," she said. "It's a reflection of my inner life. I am happy with the simplicity of my life. The older I get, the more I see the simplicity, the simple abundance. Life is a real blessing.
"My cup is half full and filling up quickly. Your home is where your heart is. That way you're never alone and never homeless. I find my peace within."
Well peace on earth and good will toward men and women because Barbara's life is a living Christmas Carol. Ring-a-ling. Here her ring. Soon it will be Christmas day!
For everyone else out there, spread the Kalikimaka cheer. If you see Barbara around town, drop an extra buck or two in the kettle and wish her a happy holiday from me and you. Aloha!

Meet Me on Monday

Introducing Barbara Steingasser

By Karen Welsh

City sidewalks. Busy sidewalks. Overcrowded Stores. Bah humbug.
It was an unusually blustery day. The winds were restless and howling from a cold front had just arrived in East Hawaii, making the hustle and bustle of the holiday season slightly more unbearable. At least that's the way I felt the other day when leaving Hilo's Wally World with a headache and a wallet devoid of everything, except a few straggling pieces of blue lint.
Then I heard the familiar ting-a-ling of the Salvation Army red kettle ringer and a gigantic feeling of apprehension rushed over me.
Then, the glass doors opened, and both a big gust of frigid air and Barbara Steingasser enveloped me with a passion. This 52-years-young gal was out there, wind blown, but smiling and steadily ringing the bell. She never missed a beat, blessing each and every person walking out of the store, complimenting some, wishing a happy holiday to others.
Barbara's eyes spoke too. The beautiful pair of gold and green pupils simply twinkled with delight and magically I was transformed from a weary woman with a long "to-do" list to someone infused with a renewed Christmas spirit.
After unloading Christmas wares into the car, I was compelled to come back and watch Barbara lift young keiki up to the bucket so they could drop in their change.
"Thank you very much," she said. "And, Merry Christmas to you."
Barbara was so perky, working with such a fervor that it was shocking to find out she was at the end of a long six hour shift.
This wasn't her first day on the job. Oh no. For more than two weeks Barbara has tirelessly worked in the rain, sunshine and wind at various locations throughout Hilo.
And, she's relished every moment of it.
"It's just a nice little thing to do at Christmas," Barbara said. "It's much better than shopping. I find it really pleasant. I get a lot of wonderful smiles back and it feels really good at the end of the day. It's a rewarding feeling."
That's a pretty upbeat attitude from someone who left everything familiar to her in San Antonio, Texas to come and live in the islands this past September.
"I've come into the second part of my life," Barbara said. "I guess you could look at it that way. My daughter got married and I paid off all my bills and I said, 'This is my time, where do I want to live,' and it was Hilo because it's the most beautiful place I've ever been and it is filled with aloha."
For Barbara, one of the greatest joys of ringing the bell and filling the red kettle is the opportunity to meet interesting people.
"I've met happy people who are homeless and unhappy people getting out of their SUV's," she said. "If everybody could see the beauty in everything they see and take the time to see it's how you view the world. It's all a matter of perspective. It's how you look at it. It's how you see the world. What you're looking for is what you get."
After talking with Barbara for a few moments it's easy to see why she is ringing with joy. Her positive attitude comes from a life overflowing with something money can't buy.
"Every morning I wake up and make a choice," she said. "It's a reflection of my inner life. I am happy with the simplicity of my life. The older I get, the more I see the simplicity, the simple abundance. Life is a real blessing.
"My cup is half full and filling up quickly. Your home is where your heart is. That way you're never alone and never homeless. I find my peace within."
Well peace on earth and good will toward men and women because Barbara's life is a living Christmas Carol. Ring-a-ling. Here her ring. Soon it will be Christmas day!
For everyone else out there, spread the Kalikimaka cheer. If you see Barbara around town, drop an extra buck or two in the kettle and wish her a happy holiday from me and you. Aloha!

Meet Me on Monday

Introducing Barbara Steingasser

By Karen Welsh

City sidewalks. Busy sidewalks. Overcrowded Stores. Bah humbug.
It was an unusually blustery day. The winds were restless and howling from a cold front had just arrived in East Hawaii, making the hustle and bustle of the holiday season slightly more unbearable. At least that's the way I felt the other day when leaving Hilo's Wally World with a headache and a wallet devoid of everything, except a few straggling pieces of blue lint.
Then I heard the familiar ting-a-ling of the Salvation Army red kettle ringer and a gigantic feeling of apprehension rushed over me.
Then, the glass doors opened, and both a big gust of frigid air and Barbara Steingasser enveloped me with a passion. This 52-years-young gal was out there, wind blown, but smiling and steadily ringing the bell. She never missed a beat, blessing each and every person walking out of the store, complimenting some, wishing a happy holiday to others.
Barbara's eyes spoke too. The beautiful pair of gold and green pupils simply twinkled with delight and magically I was transformed from a weary woman with a long "to-do" list to someone infused with a renewed Christmas spirit.
After unloading Christmas wares into the car, I was compelled to come back and watch Barbara lift young keiki up to the bucket so they could drop in their change.
"Thank you very much," she said. "And, Merry Christmas to you."
Barbara was so perky, working with such a fervor that it was shocking to find out she was at the end of a long six hour shift.
This wasn't her first day on the job. Oh no. For more than two weeks Barbara has tirelessly worked in the rain, sunshine and wind at various locations throughout Hilo.
And, she's relished every moment of it.
"It's just a nice little thing to do at Christmas," Barbara said. "It's much better than shopping. I find it really pleasant. I get a lot of wonderful smiles back and it feels really good at the end of the day. It's a rewarding feeling."
That's a pretty upbeat attitude from someone who left everything familiar to her in San Antonio, Texas to come and live in the islands this past September.
"I've come into the second part of my life," Barbara said. "I guess you could look at it that way. My daughter got married and I paid off all my bills and I said, 'This is my time, where do I want to live,' and it was Hilo because it's the most beautiful place I've ever been and it is filled with aloha."
For Barbara, one of the greatest joys of ringing the bell and filling the red kettle is the opportunity to meet interesting people.
"I've met happy people who are homeless and unhappy people getting out of their SUV's," she said. "If everybody could see the beauty in everything they see and take the time to see it's how you view the world. It's all a matter of perspective. It's how you look at it. It's how you see the world. What you're looking for is what you get."
After talking with Barbara for a few moments it's easy to see why she is ringing with joy. Her positive attitude comes from a life overflowing with something money can't buy.
"Every morning I wake up and make a choice," she said. "It's a reflection of my inner life. I am happy with the simplicity of my life. The older I get, the more I see the simplicity, the simple abundance. Life is a real blessing.
"My cup is half full and filling up quickly. Your home is where your heart is. That way you're never alone and never homeless. I find my peace within."
Well peace on earth and good will toward men and women because Barbara's life is a living Christmas Carol. Ring-a-ling. Here her ring. Soon it will be Christmas day!
For everyone else out there, spread the Kalikimaka cheer. If you see Barbara around town, drop an extra buck or two in the kettle and wish her a happy holiday from me and you. Aloha!