Letter to Lola

Dear Lola Baby,

I miss you already.

Eventhough your passing is known to knock soon, I still cannot believe that you are gone now. My memories with you will always stay with me especially those days when you purposely come to our house to look after a sickly me; I miss your healing hands that soothe my weak body.

I will always cherish my summer vacations in Tanga. It is in your care that I learned to eat vegetables, cook rice, wash clothes, water the plants. You were my first walking buddy. Our approximately 5 km walk from Tanga to Cathedral was my first “baklay” (long walk). That was one Easter Sunday and we woke up early for the "Alleluia".

Your final months are the toughest. These are the months that I looked up to you in admiration and so much love. Despite being helpless, weak and sick, you managed to get through everyday gracefully. Your wide toothless smiles and glittering eyes will forever live. In these times, I learned a lot from you, lola. If you were able to find and experience happiness in that helpless state, then the more that an able-bodied like me should. Your weakness did not limit you. You stayed bubbly, funny and happy everytime a grandchild visits. You force yourself to respond and tell stories and we are always ready and excited to lip read and understand. We love you more, lola.

Christmas, 2009

But all things including pain and life, are bound to end. As you eternally rest, please know that in our hearts, you will always live.

Open your mouth, lola. :))

Thank you, lola: for lending me your clothes; for keeping my barbie dolls; for providing pillows and rice and bananas (ginuyod, my favourite!) and mangoes and buko; for the tapayan-cold water most haven't tasted and will never taste. The basic barrio life I had with you is one of the best I had. Nothing will ever compare. Thank you for your smiles. And most of all, thank you for patiently listening to my songs :) I am certain you loved my gold-plated voice :)) My children and grandchildren will certainly know how great you are!

Love,

Kinsy

“If He carried the weight of the world upon His shoulders, I know, my Lola, that He will carry you...”