One part of the program included the kids reading their simple essays: descriptions of their grandparents, why they love their grandparents, what they do with their grandparents. I cannot help but remember my two Lolas, Lola Sabel and Mamay. (My siblings and I were not fortunate enough to meet our two Lolos since they both passed away at an early age).
I can very much relate to the kids who said: "I love my Nanna because she likes reading stories to me...she buys me things/toys...she plays with me...she cooks for me..." As some of them were reading their outputs you can see the smile on their grandparents' faces. Some of them were even teary-eyed.
As I was growing up, I remember praying fervently that God give my parents long life so they can see me settle down. I think that prayer has been granted. After I got married, my prayer changed. I prayed that God will allow my parents to see the birth and enjoy their grandkids. Again, I think, that prayer has been answered.
I consider my kids lucky because they had the chance to meet and enjoy the company of both their Lolos and Lolas. My kids know their Lolos and Lolas even if we are miles apart from one another. Thanks to technology, we try to bridge the gap and physical absence through Skype, phone calls, and thru Facebook. It's like they are having a long-distance love-affair with them. Of course, they also get to catch-up with one another when they come here for a short vacation or vice-versa.
I remember watching one current affair show which featured the importance of the presence of grandparents to their grandkids. Truly, there are some lessons in life that only grandparents can teach their grandkids. Their wisdom is really different from that of us, the parents.The way they spoil their grandkids is different from how we do it, in the same way that the effects on the grandkids are different.
The Grandparents' Day celebration made me wish that there could be more opportunities for my kids (and their cousins ) to spend more time with their Lolos and Lolas, TOGETHER. Not only thru Skype, not only by talking to them on the phone, or thru uploaded pictures and videos. To really spend time together, playing with one another, telling stories, shopping for them (hehehe Lola Lynn!), teaching them lessons about life.
The distance between us probably made me appreciate them more. It would have been probably different if we are still based in Manila, and they are just a stone's throw away from us.
The assembly ended with a short message from the Assistant Principal. She mentioned about the part in Christiam marriage rites where it says: "may you live long enough to see your children's children," -- this for me is indeed a beautiful blessing. This for me, makes grandparents a "gift." And I couldn't agree more when she tried to define what "grandparent" is by taking the meaning of "grand" first from the dictionary-- dignified, noble, admirable, sublime, magnificent, wonderful, worthy of respect. Truly, these words define what grandparents are.
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| The Gift of Grandparents. A very good read. |
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| I hope that in the future, Alvin and I will also be "rewarded" for being a parent. |
