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Farewell, Lola
2/22/2012 1:40 pm |
I grew up conscious of my paternal granny's presence. And why wouldn't I? She practically raised me through most of my childhood years until I reached high school. I'm her eldest grandchild. She only has three, since my dad was her only child. She married late (34 yrs), and so did her husband (around 42 yrs old). Somehow, that legacy seemed to be passed on to me  . But that's another story.Lola Lucing taught my English-speaking-since-birth self how to understand and speak in Bisaya. She taught me how to pray, and why I should not be afraid of the dark. Her religious nature inspired me to cultivate aspirations for the nunnery and be a God-fearing person. She taught me how to enjoy the company of an elderly person, of being at home in a house that only had one other occupant. Through her, I learned how to enjoy having fish for lunch and dinner every single day for many years. She taught me how to wake her up when she was experiencing one of those nightmares that have her talking, weeping, shouting, whimpering and murmuring in her sleep. She coached me on lip reading and how to use it to help her cope with her growing deafness by talking in front of her and enunciating words clearly with my lips. I still do it with elderly people to this day. She taught me how to use the sewing machine, and sew something simple with it (skewering my finger on the needle was not part of her instruction, but it happened). She taught me how to be home at decent hours, although she sometimes had to use a thin guava tree branch to get her point across, which left a stinging sensation, a red welt on some part of my anatomy, and a resolve to be in the house by 6pm. Well, she usually treated the welts with her aceite de manzanilla after the whipping, so I guess its not that bad. She taught me to conserve, conserve, conserve, whether it be food, water, electricity, money, plastic bags or paper. She even engineered a scheme where we took a shower while in a basin so we'd use the bath water to flush the toilet. We kids thought it was gross standing in bubbly bath water washed off from our icky selves. But we bore with it anyway, and gotten used to it. She taught me how to be considerate and kind to my younger siblings, and to be a proper big sister. She taught me to be honest at all times, and to always tell the truth. She later taught me that whether or not I love a man who is to be my husband is less important than the issue of whether he loves me very much. She told me that as long as the man is industrious, kind and a responsible person (and loves me to bits), he will do. I will learn to love him through the years because the heart can be taught to love. She should know. That's what happened to her in her own marriage. She also showed me how it is to be brave, physically and emotionally. She taught me generosity by her example. One day, she gave away a sackful of our santol to neighbors within hours, leaving her own family nearly none (and my dad fuming mad). She taught me many things. Didn't I mention she raised me in my childhood? I'm quite sorry that she didn't live to see her own great grand child, though. I felt primarily responsible for that, being the eldest. Yesterday afternoon, her 3-year struggle with breast cancer ended. She was supposed to turn 96 years old next month. Although I've seen this coming, I wondered why I still feel like crying, and was trying hard to fight back the tears. I was quite surprised that my hands trembled as I filled out my leave of absence. I found it interesting that I felt this chill and trembling feeling deep inside me when the news broke. I'm happy that she finally got her rest. She has endured so much pain, and she showed so much strength. Her cancer was untreated due to her age and health, and you can just imagine her suffering. And she did not let it show, as much as she could. I pray that she is now with the Father in Heaven. Thank you, Lola. I will miss you. May you rest in peace, and please pray for us whom you have left behind. |
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 2/22/2012 3:28 pm |
Rest in Peace Lola.. Everyday a holiday, every meal a feast! Ingats! Charlie Never believe a story that begins with "And then there was this one night in PO City, I was on the leeward side of six San Miguels, two baluts and a blushing pair of honey ko's bouncing on each knee.."
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2/22/2012 4:52 pm |
my condolences to you and to the whole family...feel that great comfort she's past her physical sufferings and now ready to enjoy the eternal bliss with her creator...my prayers goes for her and for you, as well! “I hold it true, whatever befall; I  it, when I sorrow most.
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2/22/2012 5:59 pm |
My deepest sympathy for your loss. She is now looking and watching over you from heaven. Stay strong. I'm a senior citizen . Don't expect me to remember anything 
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2/22/2012 6:49 pm |
you now have a lola angel in heaven Des... .....condolence He was my cream, and I was his coffee - And when you poured us together, it was something.
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2/22/2012 8:06 pm |
please accept my condolences, Dess, to you and your family. Well, at least she has been choosen to be the neighbourhood of God, the Ultimate meriful spirit! Such is life my friend! 
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2/23/2012 3:23 am |
Condolence to your family Dess
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2/23/2012 5:35 am |
Deepest condolences and sympathy to you and your family. From your words, it is apparent that Lola is very special.
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2/23/2012 6:18 am |
Thank you, everybody. Yes, she is no longer limited by time and space, and can now help more people by her presence on the other side. It feels comforting to know we have one more ally in God's company
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2/23/2012 12:51 pm |
Dess, its the circle of life... one past another born !!! Sorry to hear about your lola...take care. TReAt oTHerS LiKe YoU wAnT tO BE TReAteD !!!
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2/23/2012 8:08 pm |
My sincere condolences...to You and your Family. "hindi ko dala ang kaldero nyo....kaldero ko to kaya kulay uling ako"
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2/23/2012 11:22 pm |
Thanks bff, and Silver.
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2/24/2012 1:51 am |
Dess, My condolences my friend to you and to your family.
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2/24/2012 8:15 am |
My condolences to you sis.. bananasplit "I am who I am "
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2/24/2012 10:32 pm |
Thank you sis Theta and Myana...
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