Thank you

Dear Lolo Dinong and Lola Cely,

Thank you... thank you for making me see that the words "to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part" can still come true. For making me see that love can last and that people can really grow old together and keep the love intact.

Lola, thank you. Thank you for taking care of Lolo until his last breath even if you yourself are very tired. Thank you for staying with him through the good times and the bad, for loving him inspite of his faults, for making him happy until the very end. For holding his hand even in the wee hours of the morning. I remember when I stayed with you for a couple of nights, we have to wake up very early in the morning because Lolo had to take his meds then afterwards, he can't sleep anymore. He was singing Monalisa, and you were like, "Nako, eto na naman tayo kay Monalisa", then he just smiled at you... I really felt good that time. I thought, this, this is love, it can happen pala talaga. I can't imagine the pain you are going through right now but I hope that you do know that we are here and we will take care of you.

Lolo, thank you. I don't even know where to begin, we owe so much from you. You are a really good man. You don't say much, but we can feel your love through the things you do and not do. I have a lot of things to thank you for: welcoming us into your home and taking care of us when we were kids; accepting us and loving us even if you did not approve of Mama and Papa's early marriage; forgiving Papa of his faults and for loving him. And for Mama, thank you for her. Not even once did you make us feel unwanted because we have taken your favorite daughter from you so early. But most of all, thank you for teaching us to have faith...for showing us that all things are possible, you just have to have faith. In your last days, even if it hurts so much, not even once did we hear you question God why he gave you that kind of sickness, you just accepted and respected His will. When I last saw you before we left for home, I was looking at you and secretly I was scared. Somehow I had a feeling that our time with you is about to end, I kind of felt that it's just a matter of days. One time I prayed, "Lord, kahit ano po, kahit anong decision nyo... basta po wala na lang pain, basta po hindi na lang sya mahihirapan, okay na po... sige Lord, okay na po..", I thought it was really okay, hindi pala ganon kadali. It isn't easy to just let go. But we will be okay, Lo. You need not worry about us anymore. Now you are in a place where there is no more pain, you are at peace and happy. You are with your creator now. I love you, Lo. Goodbye for now, till we meet again.

Love,
Jen

P.S. this is for my Lolo Dinong and Lola Cely...