mY naKed Thoughts

I didn’t realize how beautiful the name is ’till an arab woman was awed in amusement when she knew how we call our grandmothers in Philippines. ”I could  name my daughter LOLA! ” she said. In Saudi, anything that has an ‘O’ in the name sounds dear to them like Soha, Noha, Soli, Sosoo, Baso etc. The more I think of it, the more I seem to agree. It rings compassion and care. Especially when  I associate the name to the person who bears it in our family. It’s indeed such a beautiful name.

We called her LOLA. She was not the typical grandmother full of advices at hand. She didn’t speak too much. Her face didn’t express gamut of emotions. All I could remember plastered on her face always was her refreshing smile. And since I was always searching, plowing greener fields away from home, when I arrived home and did mano to  her she usually asked me, ” Rowena, is that you?!” shouting my precious name thinking I also had impaired hearing..I answered her back, ‘It’s me! your most sexiest grand daughter!” and she just smiled. I didn’t know if her smile was an assent or because she’s tired arguing with me on the bloody title I tagged on myself but then, I love her smile, it radiated through her eyes, raveling the beauty of  her soul.

In retrospect, she taught me the best way of armpit hygiene (blush*) and it works! She was an epitome of altruism, truly a self effacing person, always a stand-by reinforcement to anyone. Any problem the family stumbled upon, she was there.  I always remember her when my mother ran out of money ( which is a usual scenario), she just fished her purse out underneath that flowered pink blouse, the fave of her’s with no questions ask. She treaded regally even with her umbrella cane, refusing the properly made cane for her walking, not a hint of doddering. The lastime I said goodbye to her leaving my lola again for work I said to myself if I’ll take care of her the way I took care of my patient here in the Kingdom, God will surely open His arms wide to let me in on His Kingdom for all my devotions at work. I told her, I feel terrible for taking care of other people instead of her and the family and she just smiled again.

It’s  lovely to marvel at her face. It’s sad that I can never do it anymore. On her bed now with a glass mirrored window, how I wish to see her face again for the lastime. However, distance and time failed me. I don’t want to lament more on her passing away because I know this is what she had wanted. To finally rested after living almost a centennial year of a colorful life.  Up there, I believe, right now, as always, she’s smiling.. 

Post script:

Lola, you will forever be embedded and remembered in our heart and soul. We love you and we miss you so much.. Goodbye lola..

   last wacky X’mas with Lola! Smile , it always gives life!