Life’s Lessons

I am now reminiscing the memories I had with Tatang (an Ilocano word for Grandpa), my late mother’s father. Back in my childhood years, he was the usual grandpa to his grandchildren. Somewhat disciplinarian to my stubborn cousins but I never recalled being scolded by him.*wink*

During my childhood years when we don’t have house help nor nanny to watch over me and my younger sister, Carol, he used to fetch us at home with his bicycle to bring us to their house almost a kilometer from ours. Then we spent the day at Tatang and Inang’s place where we got to play with some cousins. In the afternoon, Mamang will fetch us from there. That went on for i-don’t-know-how-long. Maybe a year or so. When he’s got the fruit-flavored candies (I am not sure what it’s brand name is) from our uncle and aunt who’s living in Cotabato City, he would ask us to kiss him so we could have one.

He was then the usual protective grandfather before because no suitors are allowed to court his female grandchildren. Who wouldn’t be afraid upon hearing that he is asking somebody to get his armalite inside the house? So suitors would just leave in no time.*lol* But as he grew old, he realized that his grandchildren has to experience what should teenagers experience and I am just lucky that when my time has come to be involved in a relationship, he is open to such.

During the mid-90s, Tatang went to US (and swore his citizenship) to avail of his benefits as a World War II veteran. He left the country very healthy. Not too long while in the US, he was operated for his kidney-problem and his cataract. Then he was going to and fro the US for years until he finally decided to settle here in the country as he seemed to be already having health problems. He was sickly as he was going in and out of the hospital for years until he finally joined our Creator this noon at the age of 86. Though the whole family is mourning, I am also happy that Tatang’s sufferings has already ended and is now reunited with Mamang and other relatives who have gone before us.

Rest well, Tatang. Thanks for the memories you shared with us. Till we meet again.

Note: photo taken last May 23, 2008 during Mamang’s 2nd year death anniversary. He don’t want to pose for a photo but I insisted on taking a snap of him.

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