Remembering Lola Inday

 



December 8, 2017 started out like any other Feast Day of the Immaculate Conception. I woke up and attended the Holy Mass at dawn and was dropped off by our parents to school for it was a school day. I had just finished having breakfast at the school canteen with the boyfriend when I received a call from my parents that Lola Inday had passed away.


Lilia Maluya Sumbi, better known as Lola Inday was my grandmother from my maternal side, the unmarried sister of my grandfather. She had 8 siblings and she would live with one sibling and move to another from time to time ever since Lola Pinyang, her mother and my great grandmother passed away. She also lived with us and I have fond memories of her.


She was well put together. Her hair combed neatly and her clothes matching be it for a simple grocery shopping or for attending masses.


I could recall back when I was in kindergarten, I wasn’t much of an early bird then, Lola and I would rush to school. And along with me, she’d get scolded by the Nuns running the school that I attended. Lola would just smile and apologize in my stead.


She cooks one of the best “biko” and “binignit”. And oh, how I miss it.


She is one thoughtful Lola. She remembers everyone’s birthdays and would prepare a little something whenever she can. I received hairclips that would match with hers. I also received handkerchiefs and underwears whenever my birthday comes around. She also keeps the little trinkets she received from us – be it a prayerbook, a wallet, a bag, earings – she keeps it and holds it dearly.


She did a lot for me. But I don’t think I was able to give back enough for her. I regret not accompanying her whenever she’d ask me to accompany her to the dentist, partly because I’m not fond of the dentist but mostly because I thought it was a bother. Only now do I realize that it was her way of “lambing” because she longs for such. I could only hope and pray that she passed away without a heartache because of me and whatever I may have done either intentionally or not and for which I sincerely ask for forgiveness. 


Human as we are we have our flaws, and Lola had hers too. She was sensitive and sulks easily. Which was one of  the reasons why she’d move from one sister to another. She was also very timid, that she get disrespected at times. But despite that, she’d just smile.


She was always proud of her grandchildren. She’d brag about our achievements, our talents and whatever stories she could tell to other people, be it just passing visitors or relatives from another branch of the clan during reunions. It just saddens me that she passed away not seeing me as a doctor yet nor was she able to see my brother finally becoming a lawyer nor was she able to meet her great grandchild, my nephew Xynthiel. I know for sure though she’d be one of the proudest Lolas, even in heaven.


We miss her a lot and we fondly talk about our memories of her from time to time. But we are happy for her, I know she’s most definitely with the Creator now in heaven. And today, on the 3rd year of her passing we pray that she’d intercede for us and continue to look after us like she always had when she was still with us, the usual thoughtful and caring Lola Inday.


🦋



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