Letters-2

Aali my love,

Today you were insistent on going to school even with a cough and vommiting. You said, "Hanna", (your classmate from Austria), will bring sunflower seeds for everyone to stick on a poster today.

Daddy brought you to school today and we take turns whoever has the earliest class. I am glad we have this opportunity to personally bring you to class everymorning. I saw you off with mixed emotions, a certain state of apprehension with your coughing and a sense of pride on carrying on doing what you want despite your health.

When I was alone in the house waiting for daddy to come back, I recollected lessons that I've learned that I wanted to share with you. First I wanted to share with you what I learned from Dada.

Afte six years of our marriage, one deep and profound influence your father had on me was this:

" Pain and suffering are never over and beyond us, be patient, stick it through and reap the fruits of your labor". "Never give up at any stage of the battle, keep on keeping on with the goal in mind".

He said that these principles are the reasons why he found me and how we found each other. He believed this was because of his ceaseless prayers and faith that I will come one day. He refused being arranged for marriage, a culture slowly fading but still pervades in our generation. He refused to give up on life even when things seemed hopeless and going nowhere. But Dada has been like this until now. Because of his constant support and encouragement, I was able to finish my Masters degree in teaching as well as my Education units and passed the board exam. He was with me every step of the way, believing though being nervous with me, he stuck with me. He waited outside my examination hall while I was taking my board exam in Iloilo-praying. He waited outside without leaving the door for a second while I was giving birth to you, and he went upstage to award my highest honor ribbon in masters as summa cum laude as we both got ready to see lola Nan who was admitted in the hospital the evening.

I was also reminded of Lolo Tat's calm composure during highest states of stress. When I would be uncertain and hopeless his words said with conviction and humor would always be:

"Nalipat kamo haw? May Diyos and kalibutan!" roughly - "Remember, God exists"

Faith has always been Lolo Tat's big thing, and he has over and again proven it strong. The stories will come...

And Lola Nan, is everyone's quiet rock of consistency, commitment and compassion. Once you were very sick here in India and we did not know what to do and she also just had a serious heart attack and was in no way advised to challenge her body soon. When she heard of your struggles, she wanted to come - and she came despite evryone's hesistations. She said:


"If it takes my life to be there for my granddaughter - then let it take my life!"

This is how much you are loved.

Mama