I cannot even begin to describe the silent euphoria that I felt from the moment I glanced at the face of this tiny being I call “Lola’s Baby.” The overwhelming gratitude to the Lord and to the whole universe, for blessing us with this teeny-weeny creature wrapped in hospital lampin. I couldn’t get my eyes off his heavenly and innocent face. Grabe and dating. Bagyo, in a good way. Ang sarap amuy-amuyin kahit paa lang. Kahit pwet, mabango pa rin.
I stayed with him at the hospital while his mom was recovering. I stayed in the living room. I didn’t expect that my grandma’s instinct has been activated and in full gear. Konting movement lang nya, aware na aware agad ako. I didn’t need an alarm clock. Just like when my kids were still babies, automatic ako nagigising pag-umiyak sila.
I sang nursery rhymes in the middle of the night to lull him to sleep. Siguro the neighboring patients were annoyed but I didn’t care. I was singing to my apo. I did that every night and even during the day.
We were already back home and yet we haven’t hired a full time nanny. I wasn’t worried naman kasi Edmund and I took turns caring for him. We didn’t mind the night duties. Mere touching his fragile arms, smelling his bangu-bangu hair, were enough to give us the strength to withstand the nightly lack of sleep. Okay lang kasi Edmund and I were just too ecstatic to feel the antok.
Every monthsarry nya, my daughter took few photos as souvenir. Before we knew it, she was already preparing for his first birthday, then second birthday na agad. Ang bilis nya lumaki, nawala na yung baby namin. Uwa uwa uwa, Iba na iyak nya. It became wahhhhhh. Mas cute yung uwa uwa uwa.
It’s been two years since I officially became a grandmother. I am grateful I get to spend time with him. I’ve been privileged to be a part of this boy’s world.
Love you apo apo.
