Mano Po

During my sister's visit yesterday, she was talking about a list that she came across. It was a sort of "You know you're Filipino when..." list. There were things that she wasn't quite sure of so she asked my Mom to clarify. For example, she asked what "anak" meant. One that I know think of is "mano po." My mom proceeded to explain that in Philippine culture, the younger would show respect or ask for a blessing from their elders by bringing up the elder's hand and touching the back of the hand to their own foreheads.

When I went to the Philippines in 2003, I knew that it was probably going to be the last time I would be able to see my grandmother there. Nanay was getting up there in years and since my travels there are far and few between, I made myself consider it my last visit with her.

For the first time in my life, I walked in from the front door, down the steps into the living room and and stood over her as she sat in her couch looking up at me. I bent down and took her hand and pressed it to my forehead. She has always had to step inside my world for me. I am grateful that I had the presence of mind to step into hers, finally, for the last time.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Meet Bob

Image
 I ordered my Ford Escape PHEV on October 13, 2022 and I finally took delivery on September 1, 2023. h/t to my salesman Meet Bob. Actually, I thought I would come up with a better name since my last car was named Patty because I got her on St. Patrick's Day. But after spending about three minutes trying to think of something clever, I threw in the towel and settled on Bob. So this is a base model PHEV. It doesn't have things like a heads up display, 360 degree camera, premium audio system, etc. Mind you, I came from a base fiesta. Patty had roll-down windows and didn't even have cruise control. This is a very big upgrade for me. A little over two weeks in, I've hit 1,000 miles. I've tried to force some non-ev time. I'm not sure what kind of engine break in is needed for this. I figured I should do some of that and get its first oil change before I head down to Florida with it in November. So far, just one and one-quarter tanks of gas used. Averaging 86 mpg. Most
Read more

Be fruitful and multiply...by ten.

Some coworkers and I were talking about that lady in Arkansas that just delivered her 17th child. The Associated Press announced the good news a couple days ago and I remembered the family from the Discovery Channel . The Duggar family had been the subject of a number of specials dealing with large families. They are especially memorable given that the number of kids as well as their, well, peculiar lifestyle. The people that I was talking to balked at the idea of having that many kids with a few of them openly calling the Duggar parents crazy. I have to admit, I think that they are little bonkers in the head too. But you know, that’s cool on the other hand too. And it’s actually impressive that they are able to afford to have such a large family. There are some parts of me that would like to have a large family. (My definition of large stops at five kids just so you know.) But their criticisms largely used the Duggars' religious faith. From what this article indicated, they are pa
Read more

Am I financing? Bwah ha ha ha!

Image
 When I purchased my house, I thought my heating system was bonkers. It used hot water from a tank and blew the air over that to be heated up. Like a boiler... kinda? I had made some inquiries to businesses in the area because if this broke, who would fix it? The best lead I got was familiar with the system but didn't service it. I knew that when the system goes, I would be replacing it with an entirely new system. Well that day came. The old system with its water tank. The new system. Notice the old water tank is gone. A couple years ago the air conditioning had gone out too but summers are pretty mild and I had gotten away with a window unit. After the car purchase and also a garage door repair needed, I had to finance this. I took a few thousand dollars to pay off the existing loan that I had out for the window replacements. I can apply the money that had been going to the windows loan to go on top of the loan I now have out for this system. That will help me get this paid off s
Read more