When my dearest Tatay was still with us, I used to say that I am a single mother taking care of 3 children—my 87-yr old father, my 14 yr-old son and my 12-yr old daughter. Back then, Nanay was still strong as a bull, braving horrific traffic from Las Piñas to Pampanga and vice versa. As Philamlife’s Senior Agency Manager for Pampanga/Olongapo, she stayed in Pampanga Mondays to Fridays. We only saw her during Saturdays and Sundays. In her own words: “I am just a VISITING GUEST in my own house. I don’t even know where the rice bin is.” Tatay’s classic line whenever Nanay leaves for Pampanga went like this: “Pray that I am still alive when you get back and I pray that your guilt will not haunt you forever.”
Tatay was semi-bedridden when Nanay finally decided to leave her beloved company of 50 years. After only 8 months of living together, my father left us for good exactly 1 week before his 88th birthday. I thought Nanay’s presence in our home would prolong his life but I was wrong. He confided that he was ready to go. He could rest in peace knowing that Nanay was already around to look after me and my 2 children.
It has been 13 years since Tatay passed away. Much has tremendously changed since then. Nanay is now a PERMANENT RESIDENT in her own house. She doesn’t want to go out anymore except for the Sunday Mass and for her random joy rides around the village.
Several tennis courts, a swimming pool, billiard and pingpong tables were literally at the back of Nanay’s house in Pampanga. Beside it was the Bowling Center. She was probably the most visible player in Greenfields Country Club Homes. She was also a regular golf competitor inside Clark US Air Base. I couldn’t imagine how a very active woman like my mother loathes the slightest movement now. She doesn’t even want to take a walk inside the beautifully-renovated park of our village or stroll at the mall. Just outside Philamlife Village is VistaMall on the left and SM Center on the right.
Nanay used to joke that she was no longer the Manager but the Telephone Operator in their Office during LunchBreak. During those days, employees were required to work during Saturday mornings but they were given a Break from 12 noon to 2 PM for the whole week. Everybody took advantage of this by taking a nap after lunch except for Nanay. She was the only one awake so she answered telephone calls until 2 PM. She often boasted that she never took a nap in her room or anywhere else. That may be true then. Nowadays, she takes a nap right after waking up! She also takes a nap after eating breakfast, lunch, afternoon snacks and dinner. Oftentimes, she even takes a nap while eating!
So now, I am a 67 yr old single mother taking care of 3 children—my 91 yr old mother, my 27 yr old son and my 25 yr old daughter. No wonder I couldn’t find my soulmate!
