Lolo Dony

Grandfathers are often pictured playing with their young grandchildren.  It is often the most immediate mental picture that comes to mind.  When I say young, I mean kids in their formative years.  I guess when we hear the word "grandfather", the mind almost automatically creates a clear, contrasting image of the young and the elderly.  For 23 years I have grown up being introduced by you and lola as your "eldest".  Though I knew I was, deep inside that never really kicked in until I entered college in U.P.  I did not feel like a big accomplished lady as some thought me to be.  In fact, I was so unsure at everything I did even though I placed exceedingly high standards on myself.  One of my favorite memories of you as my Lolo is a very simple one that happened during that time, not when I was little girl.  It was a time when I felt like one.  It was when we were living with you during my junior year at Fine Arts (a time I refer to as the Dark Ages for our family) and one day when I came home you asked me "How is school?"  and I said "Okay lang."  Your brows furrowed in disbelief "Okay lang?  What do you mean 'Okay lang?'  Hindi bagay sa'yo ang okay lang!"  You proceeded to tell me that in everything I do and every choice I make, never settle for okay lang, because that's not me.  Inside, you made me feel bigger than I ever hoped I could be.  Lolo, I pray that at this time, you let your closing years be your golden ones.  Let me be the one this time to say, you have the woman, you have us.  Hindi bagay sayo ang 'okay lang'.  I love you, Lolo.

Lola Emma

There was one thing about you, Lola, that for me, aside from your love and affection, set you a cut above all other lolas I have known.  This is a simple well-known fact.  You may laugh when you read this.  You don't wear nauseatingly strong perfume.  I'm quite appreciative that you are not a funny smelling lola.  God bless all grandmothers out there but some of them not only look old, they smell old, too.  In addition to your timeless beauty and stunning brilliance, here is a bottle of mild perfume.  It is not funny smelling, mind you, but something nice that you might like to try, a cool fragrance for a cool Lola, plus some other kikay things I know you'll like.  Truth be told, your fragrance, Lola Emma, is not something I can give you or something you can buy.  It is something you already possess that attracts all and most probably attracted Lolo.  It is the true distinct aroma of your loving, sweet, and encouraging spirit.  It permeates gloom, arouses joy, and affects whoever is around you and spends time with you.  I love you, Lola Emma.  For myself, I wish I smelt more like you, I need to put on what you have more often.