Thankfulness: Grandmother In Our Lives

The house is quiet. Not a single noise is heard except for the monotonous sound of the fans in the room. My household is slumbering, probably snoring to a faraway land. They have been busy earlier marketing, preparing, cooking, hosting. No traces of merrymaking could be detected except from the glass wares on the dining table waiting to be kept in the cupboard. I could almost create a conversation amongst them saying, "Sigh, tomorrow, we will be back where we truly belong." The clutter all cleared from the revelry and joviality, excitement and delight of my grandmother’s imminent 87th birthday celebration.

I pause,

I contemplate,

and count my blessings!

As I stared at Lola Lucy (while she was making a wish after blowing two birthday cakes Loren and Alex; Katkat and Jaime have presented), I failed not to marvel at how young she appeared aesthetically despite the prevalent wrinkles and lines in her face, neck and arms. The contentment and peace that radiated from within her is all the more noticeable. She stood regally. Her voice depicted a command of authority. Her memory sharp. She is akin to a wine aged for decades; the longer it is the better it tastes or like a cheese that is ripened to intensify its flavor and transform its texture.

She is partly the reason why I am the way I am now. When I was growing up, she incessantly and untiringly instilled the values of money and time. We would have our one-on-one session regularly and as an adolescent, I dreaded those moments, acceding to everything she said to make our “sessions” short. I was mischievous and still am.

She taught me to budget my allowance. She reminded me to always give my tithe, to put a part of it in safe keeping in case of a rainy day and further instructed me to never be ashamed of any job as long as it is modest and honest. I was free-spirited then, younger and unwise. However, with her words reverberating in my mind, I have now learned to appreciate them and have understood everything in the process of growing up. Yes, she instilled values I am thankful for; values that keeps me rooted and unfazed despite the changing times.

As I conclude this entry today, I wish that she would live for as long as God wills her to, to continue to age gracefully and unceasingly be an encouragement to her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren from whom love, kindness and gentleness is obtained. She is our pillar, our anchor and our strength to carry on with life.