12.2.15

"Mama, please mama me."

"Mama, please don't yummy my nose."

These are some of the funny things Rafa says now.

Mama me -- to touch softly, to hug, to snuggle, to kiss all over
Don't yummy -- don't bite or pinch playfully

Sometimes he is a handful and I get irritated and impatient with him. But then I realize it will not be this way always. He will not want to be mama-ed or yummy-ed forever. 

The day will come sneaking up when he will not want to be held as much and kissed as much. And it makes me cry when I think of that. 

And knowing that reminds me to take deeper breaths when he is being too demanding of my time and touch (he can only fall asleep with me rubbing his belly and him rubbing my earlobe -- go figure). 

I will Mama and yummy all I can while I can. 

P.S. He also said the other day after I playfully squeezed his nose: Mama, I don't want to be cute. Haha. 



2.2.15

Lolo Yoyong


My Lolo Yoyong went home to the Lord early Friday morning. He was 93. He was a very kind man. My Lola Crising went home ahead of him in 2012 and I just know they are having a grand reunion now. 

I will forever remember summers spent with them. Leaving their house in Cubao while it was still dark to go to the beach in Pagbilao, Quezon with other lolos and lolas, titos and titas and cousins crammed with us in a hired jeep. Trips to Quiapo to buy Excelente ham and toys. Calesa rides to their old house in Manila. Gallons upon gallons of ice cream consumed early morning to late at night. Eat-all-you-can fishballs from their suki. The funny yet pleasant sound of the pigs they raised in their backyard. The smell of Lolo's pomade and perfume. A trip to a radio station one late night because Lola just had to meet Giovanni Calvo, an AM radio talk show host that she loved listening to. 

Rescue and soothing from countless scrapes, big and small. 

They lived a very simple yet full life. They loved fiercely and unconditionally. I will forever be grateful that they were my grandparents.