I believe that that we are today is the result of what those before us were. We, therefore, should be very careful how we live, for it will affect not only our lives, but our children and our children's children.
In the 2nd Epistle of Paul the Apostle to Timothy, he wrote:
3I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day, 4greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I maybe filled with joy, 5when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and by your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also. 6Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands, 7For God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
Salud is the name of my mother's mom. I never spent a lot of time with her because she lived in Pasay City first, (we lived in Batangas) then migrated to the United States later on. It was my sister Yvette who had the privilege of being taken care of by her since she was a baby 'til she was in 4th grade. My 1st cousins Ate Celia, Momon and Cesar had that privilege too even for a short time. We always cherished times spent with her whenever she comes home. And she always sent us gifts. My favorite was the pink and purple handmade sweater she did for me. Her birthday (March 24) inspired me to write this.
My mother loved her so much that she did not want to be petitioned to the U.S. so she can take care of her mother when she grows old. Unknowingly, it was my grandma's prayer that my mom be spared of taking care of her in her old age as she has experienced with Lola Asyang, my great grandmother. God answered my Grandma's prayer.
She died a holy woman, according to the priest who officiated in the Holy Mass at the service before her remains were transported back to the Philippines. Inay, as we fondly call her, went to mass every single day that she can. She served the Precious Blood Church in Los Angeles in all of her life in the U.S. with all of her heart and with all that she is. My cousins Annabelle and Jessica told me so.
Apparently, she gave communion to the sick, participated in socio-civic activities, and I think, she also visited prisoners. Those were values of a true christian. Her faith is her greatest legacy to us.
Nanang Ylang, on the other hand, is my dad's mother. When we were little, she will bring us big bottle of orange softdrinks (Royal tru-orange) whenever one of us was sick. No wonder my brother Ronald would sometimes fake it just so she can bring him some.
We grew up with household help for both my mom and dad were career persons. That is probably why we did not learn how to do some chores right. My dad loves fishing and fish. One time, he gave me a big one to clean. I told him I didn't know how to. My dad then looked at my long, polished fingernails and shook his head. He called his mother next door so she can show me. Nanang Ylang did not show me but did it herself. She cooked it too! And she can cook fish like no one can! The bones will melt in your mouth. She cooks the best puto too, grinding rice grains for hours in her old grinder made of stone.
My high school graduation fell on the same day as the "last counting" for the church popularity contest where my sister was a candidate. Mom and everybody else were so busy that there was no one to attend to my needs. Nanang Ylang saw me ironing my white graduation toga. She watched me do it over and over with no success. No matter how I tried, it was still wrinkled. She then took over the ironin for me, saying the most unforgettable words she uttered in my whole life: "I've never done this in over 40 years".
I remember Nanang Ylang always showing her affection to my daughter MJ. She called her MG. Whenever she saw her, MJ would pinch her loose flesh in her upper arms and Nanang Ylang was tickled pink everytime. Even when she can't remember names anymore due to Alzheimer's, she would tell MG "you've grown bigger" everytime she saw her. I don't know what is the meaning of this, but it was on MJ's birthday when she passed away.
I grew up seeing my mother Ester in church all the time. She brought me with her for as long as I can remember that I memorized all the prayers and the songs. She is one of the pillars of our church in my hometown, Our Mother of Perpetual Help Parish. I remember waking up in the wee hours of the morning to use the bathroom and there she was, in our dining table, with her prayerbooks, saying her morning prayers. She prays for each one of her loved ones. Until now, she offers a monthly Holy Sacrifice of the Mass for us, her children.
She was the principal at the high school just almost across our house; But she sent me to study high school in OLCA, an all-exclusive catholic school for girls 2 towns away from us run by Benedictine Sisters. And my wish to get a co-ed college education didn't happen either as I continued studying at St. Scholastica's College in Manila, run by the same congregation. My sister Yvette was a big factor in that, too! She wanted me to go to the same school as hers. I remember her taking me and our friends to attend vespers (an evening prayer service where prayers being sung) at St. Scholastica's for a good little while when she was determining her vocation in life.
The religion/theology classes in those alma mater(s) are deeply imbedded in me that I find them useful in sharing my faith with others. Every now and then, one of my New Vision UMC family members will come up to me after our Wednesday Bible study to tell me how my inputs are always refreshing and give them new insights. That is thanks to my mother (& father) who afforded me those opportunities or may I say now, a great privilege!
Grandparents are a family's greatest treasure, the founders of a loving legacy, The greatest storytellers, the keepers of traditions that linger on in cherished memory. Grandparents are the family's strong foundation. Their very special love sets them apart. Through happiness and sorrow, through their special love and caring, grandparents keep a family close at heart. ~author unknown
Nice Eileen, Keep it up!
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