100 reasons ‘Why I Love Grandma’
September 12, 2004 | 12:00am
It was Gregory Lang’s title, Why I Love Grandma: 100 Reasons, which prodded me to buy the book and read it. The cover, a warm picture of a grandmother with her granddaughter, helped, too, in persuading this shopper despite of the costly price. The book simply tugged at my heart to be bought.
Anyway, the book reminds me of my own special guardian, the one I grew up with, and one of the greatest friends I had. The one who’s always there to lend a hand, offer support and share her wisdom. And most especially, the foundation of our clan, my grandma Fely.
Physically, she looks like any stout senior citizen in this country. With curly silvery hair, she moves around the house in slow motion. My mom told her she doesn’t need to do things too strenuous for her weak physique, but still she wakes up early and cooks rice the old-fashioned way – with leaves on top of the grain and coals. Waiting for the rice to cook, she drinks ciqua while smoking tobacco leaves.
She arranges her bed, folds her newly washed clothes and puts them in her baul, and when a hired hand tries to help her, she gets irritated and sermons the girl that she can still handle the work, that she’s not a disabled person. She’s the independent type, strong-willed with a soft heart. That’s my lola.
At times, just when I’m about to take a bath, she waves to me to sit beside her so she can rub my back gently. To wake the nerves, she reasons. Then before I leave the house, she bids me: "Palangga, ingat ka sa daan…" then she smiles, her four gold front teeth brilliantly shining as the sun. That’s one of the cherished memories I have of her.
Really, there’s nothing extraordinary about her. She’s just the person who brought my mom to this world. But as the book says, there are many roles a grandmother plays: Parent, friend, teacher, nurturer, caregiver, storyteller, therapist, mentor, family historian, spiritual guide and etc.
Grandmothers have tremendous patience. They don’t judge you by your mistakes, they can often close the space between generations. That’s why every time I experience weakness, a hug and a tender caress on the back from her takes all my troubles away. And she, in some magical way, fixes my broken wings.
Indeed, the love of grandparents and grandchildren is incredibly pure and powerful. This kind of relationship is one of the important and beautiful inter-generation bond we can ever experience. And I’m so glad I have that in my life.
I agree with Lang when he writes that the influence of a loving grandmother on a child’s upbringing is immeasurable. Women have always centered their lives around family and the home; and grandmothers, even more than grandfathers, connect the generations of the family. "Grandma is the glue that holds the family together," he writes.
Also I remember reading one article about grandparents, that inside the old exterior, beneath the wrinkles, underneath the sagging arms and legs, lies the mind of a genius in this game we call life. They may not know the latest gadget today or don’t have the best skills anymore but, in their own style, they get things done. They work hard to win and beat the obstacles this cruel world may bring. They are survivors. And in their own right, heroes, too.
Grandparents are our continuing ties to the past, to the events and beliefs and experiences that so strongly affect our lives and the world around us. They’re the senior generation that provides our society with a link to our national heritage and traditions.
Indeed, we need to honor both our grandparents for all the sacrifices they endure for their children and for us, apos.
We should tell our hearts that we need not wait for a particular date to pay tribute to our dear grandparents who, even in their old age, are trying their best to help us grow into better persons. Every day can be a chance for us to show our deepest concern for them. Someday, we ourselves will become grandparents and will want love from our grandchildren.
With a collection of pictures and warm stories that you can relate to, you will love Lang’s book. My love for my lola Fely was renewed after reading it. I called her and told her about it. And because I was very much inspired by it, I started to make a scrap book for my lola. I’m still arranging old pictures to look like new ones so she’ll love my work. Anyway, she’s the only living granny I have left, so I want to show her how much we love her.
Weekly winners may claim their prizes by calling up National Book Store at 631-8079, 631-8061.
Anyway, the book reminds me of my own special guardian, the one I grew up with, and one of the greatest friends I had. The one who’s always there to lend a hand, offer support and share her wisdom. And most especially, the foundation of our clan, my grandma Fely.
Physically, she looks like any stout senior citizen in this country. With curly silvery hair, she moves around the house in slow motion. My mom told her she doesn’t need to do things too strenuous for her weak physique, but still she wakes up early and cooks rice the old-fashioned way – with leaves on top of the grain and coals. Waiting for the rice to cook, she drinks ciqua while smoking tobacco leaves.
She arranges her bed, folds her newly washed clothes and puts them in her baul, and when a hired hand tries to help her, she gets irritated and sermons the girl that she can still handle the work, that she’s not a disabled person. She’s the independent type, strong-willed with a soft heart. That’s my lola.
At times, just when I’m about to take a bath, she waves to me to sit beside her so she can rub my back gently. To wake the nerves, she reasons. Then before I leave the house, she bids me: "Palangga, ingat ka sa daan…" then she smiles, her four gold front teeth brilliantly shining as the sun. That’s one of the cherished memories I have of her.
Really, there’s nothing extraordinary about her. She’s just the person who brought my mom to this world. But as the book says, there are many roles a grandmother plays: Parent, friend, teacher, nurturer, caregiver, storyteller, therapist, mentor, family historian, spiritual guide and etc.
Grandmothers have tremendous patience. They don’t judge you by your mistakes, they can often close the space between generations. That’s why every time I experience weakness, a hug and a tender caress on the back from her takes all my troubles away. And she, in some magical way, fixes my broken wings.
Indeed, the love of grandparents and grandchildren is incredibly pure and powerful. This kind of relationship is one of the important and beautiful inter-generation bond we can ever experience. And I’m so glad I have that in my life.
I agree with Lang when he writes that the influence of a loving grandmother on a child’s upbringing is immeasurable. Women have always centered their lives around family and the home; and grandmothers, even more than grandfathers, connect the generations of the family. "Grandma is the glue that holds the family together," he writes.
Also I remember reading one article about grandparents, that inside the old exterior, beneath the wrinkles, underneath the sagging arms and legs, lies the mind of a genius in this game we call life. They may not know the latest gadget today or don’t have the best skills anymore but, in their own style, they get things done. They work hard to win and beat the obstacles this cruel world may bring. They are survivors. And in their own right, heroes, too.
Grandparents are our continuing ties to the past, to the events and beliefs and experiences that so strongly affect our lives and the world around us. They’re the senior generation that provides our society with a link to our national heritage and traditions.
Indeed, we need to honor both our grandparents for all the sacrifices they endure for their children and for us, apos.
We should tell our hearts that we need not wait for a particular date to pay tribute to our dear grandparents who, even in their old age, are trying their best to help us grow into better persons. Every day can be a chance for us to show our deepest concern for them. Someday, we ourselves will become grandparents and will want love from our grandchildren.
With a collection of pictures and warm stories that you can relate to, you will love Lang’s book. My love for my lola Fely was renewed after reading it. I called her and told her about it. And because I was very much inspired by it, I started to make a scrap book for my lola. I’m still arranging old pictures to look like new ones so she’ll love my work. Anyway, she’s the only living granny I have left, so I want to show her how much we love her.
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