Sophie Uy, your beauty nerd!

Happy Birthday, Angkong!

Today was a busy day with my sisters going to school inspire of being a Sunday for Family day, and riding along my dad’s car to bring my sister to school, and bringing ama to Church. Amongst all of that, we haven’t forgotten.

It’s been more than ten years, and the memories of you are still very fresh in my mind. They will forever be etched in my mind as the most wonderful memories of my childhood, for you made me quite a happy kid.

I remember you being the doting grandpa to us, playing with us, and being most generous with your smiles, and hearty chuckles. You were a happy grandpa. We loved you so much. I love you so much. I would remember us, walking hand in hand walking around Binondo, being happy and contented just with our company. Even until now, whenever I see an old man and a little girl holding hands crossing the street, tears would well up in my eyes remembering you, angkong.

I distinctly remember, when we were in Shopper’s Mart, and the small me asking you to buy me a strip of Jelly Ace, and you , holding out your wallet, unfolding it, and seeing the last 20 peso bill in your wallet, you took it out, and bought me my Jelly Ace. That was very big of you, angkong. When we got home in your Binondo residence, we got a few sermons from a-ma for spending too much on me. But then, I knew you were happy making me happy.

I remember that one quiet night, when you were waiting with me for dad to come, and fetch us to move to our new home. We were separated, but we kept on coming back to your Binondo home as we had our swimming lessons near there.

When you got sick, I think I was having lunch with my classmates, strolling the ground floor of our school, being introduced, and learning for the first time what the term “comatose” meant and “ICU.” I did not understand the gravity of the situation, as I was not allowed to visit you in the hospital. My last memory of you before your passing, was of you, on a rocking chair, laughing, with your heartiest chuckle, that made me smile. You said goodbye, as I said goodbye.

It was the morning that I was supposed to be all jolly for my Christmas party at school. My yaya told me that I didn’t need to wake up that day because you were gone. I was frozen. It took me a while to understand, as I opened the doors to my parents’ room, seeing my dad sitting at the foot of the bed, with his hands on his forehead, not crying, but looking very much upset and devastated, as he saw me and set me beside him, saying ” wala na si angkong.” I couldn’t feel a thing that time. I was frozen, and in total disbelief.

You were my dad’s bestfriend. My dad just looked up to you and loved you so much. You were his strength, his support, and his biggest fan. You encouraged him through and through about having a business of his own. I know, financial resources were not so much before, but your love and support were more than enough to keep my dad going, until now. Do you know, angkong, that until now, my dad still thinks about you, and talks to you everyday? I hope you can feel it. He misses you so much. Until now, he relies on you to give him strength. Giving him your selfless love as a parent is such an inspiration to me, that it deeply touches me how much a parent can love a child. It inspires me to be a better parent in the future, but more importantly, be a better child to my mom and dad, as I know that time is fleeting, and we must make the most out of our time here on earth.

I feel for my younger siblings who weren’t able to meet you, Angkong. I just know, that if they had the chance to be with you, that you’d love them, as they would love you so much, too. I always tell them about you, and our wonderful adventures, Angkong.

I only started really pouring my heart out in tears ten years after your passing, and it continues until now. I haven’t stopped grieving for your loss, for you made me feel pure love from a grandparent. That love that you gave me is so much, that it would last a lifetime, as I will never forget. I can still feel it, until now, and I hope that somehow, someway, the wind can take my thoughts and my letter to where you are. I know that you are in a good place, but I know that you can still see us. I miss you, Angkong.

I love you, Angkong. I might not see you soon, but we will be reunited, as a little girl and a grandparent holding hands one day, just enjoying an endless stroll of pure love.

This entry was posted on Sunday, June 27th, 2010 at 1:27 pm and is filed under Getting Sentimental. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.