A few months ago we celebrated my grandmother's 90th Birthday. Such a wonderful milestone to be able to share with her. With the amazing planning of our family members, her celebration turned out awesome! It was such a blessing to see the smile it brought my grandmother's face as she was greeted by everyone there to celebrate her. Friends & family came from all over, just to attend her celebration. It was amazing! The best part of it was to see and hear all the heart-felt ways my grandmother touched each and every person in that room in one way or another.
Nanay, meaning Mother in Tagalog. This is the name we have always had for her growing up. Fitting perfectly as any awesome grandmother would, as she was truly my second mom. I am grateful to have so many great moments to remember with Nanay. As a child, I remember sitting down and watching Price is Right in the morning, followed by the slotted hours of soap opera's from channel 2 to channel 7 daily. I remember in the mornings as a little girl, as most children had the cool cereal's you saw on TV commercials, I had toast with butter and dipped it in coffee. (It was more like milk with a taste of coffee, but at 5 years old, it was amazing!) I didn't complain, as it was what the adults had too. Nanay taught me to use a sewing machine, how to make lumpia, how to count in tagalog and how to play mahjong. Memories of going with her to the race track, eating nacho's together & her laughing at me as I practiced my attempts at speaking tagalog fluently. I remember her telling me how mean I sounded as I tried to translate english sentences literally and without proper use of words to show respect. Other memories weren't so glamorous, but none the less still beautiful memories. Like the moments of going with her and my grandfather, Coco, as he visited the hospital, remembering the last time we visited his doctor's office to find out that there was nothing more they could do with his cancer. Seeing how strong Nanay had been through this process, I don't get to tell her often enough, how proud I am and how much I admire her strength during that time.
Fast forward to more recent years... Nanay helped raise and care for my children as she did me, and is especially close to Jade. I am thankful that my children have had the opportunity to meet, spend time with & get to make their own memories with Nanay. After all, it's a true gift to be able to meet your great-grandparent(s). Nanay has & will always be a great part of our lives and I look forward to making more memories and continuing to celebrate together.
Dearest Nanay,
I love you for all that you have taught me and shared with me. I thank you for all that you have taught me, shared with me and helped me with. Along with my family, you and Coco have in one way or another made me the person who I am today. I have had the blessing of being beside you during some of the greatest times, and some of the worst, either way, like you have always done for me, I will always be there beside you.
I see the way you care for Jade as you used to do for me. I thank you for that, as I know that Jade & Jarron are super lucky to have you as part of their childhood. I hope that I have become at least half the person you have always hoped I would be. I hope you had an amazing celebration to celebrate your 90th birthday party. Here's to many more fun times at the casino.
With love always,
Gina
