Goodnight, Lola.

My last grandparent passed away last Saturday. Lola Sion was 88 years old when she died peacefully in her sleep. Year after year she'd ask us to visit her because she felt that her time was arriving. This time it did.

Nanay broke the sad sad news to me first. I cried. I cried not because I didn't want to lose her. It's unfair to want to keep her here. She doesn't belong here. None of us does. It's just that I'm awfully gonna miss her.

I'll miss her nagging. I'll miss her asking yosi from me. I'll miss her stories. I'll miss her telling me that a proper lady shouldn't be driving. I'll miss her sermon on why it's better to eat vegetables and fish instead of McDo and Jollibee.

I'll miss her. Period.

Lola, thanks for taking care of us during our summer vacations when we were younger and more adventorous. Thank you for not sending us back to Manila when we almost killed your poultry when we set hay on fire to cook Kasuy. Thank you for letting us slip effortlessly away in the middle of the day to play habulan in the fields. Thank you for the mashed tomatoes that went well with most anything grilled.

But most of all, thank you for being our Lola.

Sayang Lola, di na natuloy ang panlalalake natin. Ikaw kasi, pakipot ka pa. Huwag mo kong isusumbong kay Lolo ha. Sabihin mo joke lang yun.

I love you, Lola. I'll never forget you. May God be with you.

And Lola, hamunin mo ng 41 yung mga tao dyan. I'm sure you'll beat them black and blue. =)

Your apo,
Lovelyn

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pic: My Lola's wall with pictures of her clan.