Update from Lisa: A Miraculous Day

Hello Everyone!

Today was such a miraculous day.  We had a full house with Tita Lina, Tito Danny, Tita Beth, Tita Sonia, Tita Erly, and Tita Olga all here.  In usual Filipino fashion, we had lots of food, lots of talking, and especially lots of laughing.  She was awake for most the day and everyone sang, read scripture, laughed, and told stories of the past.  They fondly reminisced about their childhood in the Philippines.  She was laughing....I mean truly laughing about certain stories.  She was even cracking jokes about some of the things being said.   

I was keeping a watchful eye to make sure she didn't get too tired. When the fatigue comes, so does the excruciating pain.  Karen and I have been making sure that she does not get into too much pain.  But as the saying goes, laughter is the best medicine.  She did not show any signs of pain all day.  She was sitting in her recliner watching the kitchen with a smile.  She commented on how everyone was going around, that the household is busy....the sounds of her dialect (I can't spell it but you know what I mean..capapan??), the smells of Filipino food cooking, the moving of her sisters in the kitchen.  She was enjoying the moment.   

  

She got her nails trimmed and painted and was so grateful that her family was so attentive to her needs.  She has told Karen and I how sad she is that her family has to take care of her now but we all reassured her that we are happy to do it and that we will always think of her best intentions.  

During dinner that evening, she appeared to be staring off into space and when I asked if she was tired, she said, "No, I'm listening to their story".  Amazingly, it was a story being told on the other side of the table.  She was picking out a story several feet away from her and through all the other conversations around her.  I was very impressed.  She may not see very well, but her hearing is extra sharp.  Tita Donna was talking about the 7 castles of St. Therese of Aviles and my mom was listened very intently.    

This experience was also very special and important to me and Karen.  The smell of sinigan and pan sit cooking, with the sounds of her dialect are things that Karen and I cannot give to our mother.  We do not know the dialect and do not cook Filipino food.  There are pieces of history, that part the is truly Filipino..truly Cristobal, that we cannot offer.  Those are the things that she wants and needs the most right now.  So thank you to our family who were able to visit because you gave her this miraculous day.  I have seen her smile like I have never seen her smile before.  I have seen her cry like I have never seen her before.  She was able to let go and enjoy the moment and for that I am truly grateful.  Thank you for giving her this miraculous day.  

I'm sending more pictures so you will get a few more emails.  I apologize if I miss anyone on these emails.  I did not realize how much others wanted updates also.  Family is very important so please pass along to anyone!    

Love always, 

Lisa 

There's truly nothing like your family