Something nice happened to me today, I went home for lunch which I normally do not do anymore and I got to experience a twinkling of my childhood all over again. It makes me think that leaving my Theology book at home was a blessing in disguise somehow because it allowed me to have lunch at home but more notably because I got to get See's Chocolates from my lola (grandmother).
I do not know about others but I have the stateside notion of grandparents and chocolates, the type you normally see in christmas family movies. The image of grandparents teasing their grandchildren that they will get an extra serving of fudge after dinner if they finish their thanksgiving greens, then actually give them the extra serving whether they finish the greens or not. Quaint right, though that is not the typical setting you get around here so it got me thinking.
I live in the Philippines and it is kind of funny to think that the image I have is somewhat unique in a way, with regard to where I am that is. Which is an equatorial archipelagic nation, far from snow, cozy fires and want for incredibly thick and warm fudge, well maybe not so for the last one because honestly I would want FUDGE anywhere in the world. I might be mean going down this road and all but I will be honest and say that the Philippine equivalents that I have ran through my head are definitely different.
There is the grandma giving out durian candies, the grandpa swigging Beer na Beer with his teenage grandson, the lola (grandmother) offering dinuguan and puto to her "mga apo" (grandchildren), or though not food related a lolo (grandfather) letting his apo win at Sungka.
The images are different (I hope the links worked and helped) of course but definitely the warmth, love and care are still there. They are the wise ones after all, and they seem to understand things no one else does, even when it comes to manners. They understand that the smile they see on their grandchildren's faces is the greatest thank you they could ever ask for. Especially when we end up finishing off all their imported goodies.
The connection a grandchild has with his or her grandparents is definitely something special. It is not like the relationship we have with our parents and it is definitely not the same as the one you have with your sibling.
To be loved by someone of kin a generation removed and to love them in return is like having a two-way window that can span half a century. The stories and experiences that one shares with the other is the simplest yet one of the most amazing sources of joy and happiness that either can ever have.
So to my lolo and lola who shared their chocolate with me, and let me take seconds just the way I did when I was a kid spending summers with them. I love you two with all my heart, thanks for the chocolate. :)
Other Photo credits:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/arlynab/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mangtacio/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ynnaf/
The images are different (I hope the links worked and helped) of course but definitely the warmth, love and care are still there. They are the wise ones after all, and they seem to understand things no one else does, even when it comes to manners. They understand that the smile they see on their grandchildren's faces is the greatest thank you they could ever ask for. Especially when we end up finishing off all their imported goodies.
The connection a grandchild has with his or her grandparents is definitely something special. It is not like the relationship we have with our parents and it is definitely not the same as the one you have with your sibling.
To be loved by someone of kin a generation removed and to love them in return is like having a two-way window that can span half a century. The stories and experiences that one shares with the other is the simplest yet one of the most amazing sources of joy and happiness that either can ever have.
So to my lolo and lola who shared their chocolate with me, and let me take seconds just the way I did when I was a kid spending summers with them. I love you two with all my heart, thanks for the chocolate. :)
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| lolo at lola |
Copyright MGAntonio
Other Photo credits:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/arlynab/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mangtacio/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ynnaf/
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