Death of A Loved One

The year that ended was quite good to me. After having been married the year before that, I got my greatest blessing from God in August of 2017 with the conception of our soon to come baby. 

I cannot really complain to God for the year that was even though I also lost one of the most important people in my life, my grandmother from my father’s side of the family. Actually, she was the last standing grandparent I had from both sides of my parents. 

My lola has always been a formidable part of my life. Since I was young, like my parents she took care of us in such endearing ways. I always believed that I was a favorite grandchild. She brings me along to the market to buy food for our family Sunday lunch in her house which happened often and regularly when I was young. She would make me choose a slice of pork chop which she will cook for lunch separate from the main meal served for the entire family and relatives. While I was young, I also slept with her in her room and regularly visited her. We would talk and talk and just bond. While growing up I stayed in her house and watched over her small sari-sari store. I also go with her to the grocery to buy stocks for her store. Life was simple back then with her. 

However, the frequent visits soon lessened when I had to start my career away from home. I was able to find a good job outside my hometown and into the metropolis which is a 2-hour plane ride away. I made up for lost time through calls on special occasions. I made sure to visit her also whenever I was home for short vacations. 

When her house got razed by fire, she lived in ours. She somehow filled the void that my father left when he passed away. Inspite of this, I wasn’t living in the house anymore so I really didn’t have time to spend with her. I just made do with every opportunity I had to bond with her like during Christmas and New Year celebrations including summer vacations. 

We used to bring her along our family outings and dine outs. But as her age progressed she was having difficulty with the walks, rides, and late nights. She would just politely decline and stay at home and take her much needed rests. 

Despite suffering from countless of health setbacks like heart attacks she was still very strong at her age. Although we noticed how her memories started to fade we thought she can still last for sometime. However, in August of last year, on the same month that I conceived my child, she suffered a major stroke leaving her in a comatose state. I immediately went home to be with her when I heard the news. But she no longer woke up and was already in a vegetative state. I spent two weeks with her and took the opportunity to tell her how much I loved her and also asked forgiveness for any pain I caused her especially on not giving her much time and attention than I wanted to. 

As I went back to the metro for work, I knew that I said everything I wanted and spent enough time with her that if ever she does not survive her ordeal I already have peace in my heart, ready to let her go when the time comes. 

After four months, the inevitable happened. Our lola left us at 10:30 in the evening of October 19. I was fortunate to have come home early for the holidays that I was with her even before she left us. I was still able to introduce my little bump to her. I was also with her at the moment when life left her body. It was sad but I felt peace knowing that she no longer needed to suffer in her vegetative state. I know she will be with the Lord the second she left us as she is a very Godly woman, whose faith in the Lord never wavered.