We played ‘ask lola.’ For a few minutes they could ask me anything they wanted to know about their parents
Happy Father’s Day! I remember Papa. I think of him, and warm memories flood my heart. I see his smile, the sparkle in his eyes, that gentle, naughty expression on his face when he cracked a joke. I miss his sense of humor, his wit, kindness, the wisdom of his words, his uncompromising values. He was (still is) my poster guy for “wonderful.”
Mi Capitan. How I miss him.
Sick bay
Mercury Drug was my not so favorite go-to place last week for nonstop errands to pick up one analgesic or another. I don’t know how many times I had to write down the list of my current medications to clear with the pharmacist. You know, don’t you, that it is imperative to check if your new meds clash with your maintenance regimen?
But when you have welts like a relief map all over your body and your face looks like the Incredible Hulk, and the doctor keeps asking if you can breathe, it gets a bit alarming.
I can only blame my insatiable craving for delicious hamachi and salmon belly for my desperate discomfort. Our cook blamed the hairy higad that had taken residence in my favorite bougainvillea bush, and promptly started dabbing sukang puti on my arms and legs. I didn’t like smelling like adobo, but I must say the itch subsided a bit.
All I know is that I couldn’t stop scratching, slept fitfully at night, and was groggy all day.
Here it is a week later; the meds have worked their magic and I feel human again.
‘Apo’ heaven
I can’t think of anything that makes me happier than spending time with my grandchildren. It is an awesome privilege for a senior like me to be given a chance to view life through the eyes of the next generation. I get excited listening to their colorful, sometimes wild opinions. Their enthusiasm is contagious. I envy their passion. And I rejoice that in spite of having all the latest IT gadgets to distract them, they do know what is happening in the world, and thank God, they care.
Unfortunately, I can seldom treat them to a meal. If I were to take them all to a restaurant, my bank account would suffer a mortal blow.
So I recently asked them over for a home-cooked meal of tenderloin medallions with red wine and mushroom gravy, twice-baked potatoes, fresh tomato pasta, green salad and corn.
Over homemade ice cream and oven-fresh cookies, we played “ask lola.” For a few minutes they could ask me anything they wanted to know about their parents.
“Who fought the most? Who had the highest grades? Was my mom really so well-behaved? Who had the most boyfriends? Girlfriends?”
The stories went fast. There was laughter. I tried to answer every question. I couldn’t. Not all. I didn’t know. I was not there. I wanted to call my sister. When did my daughter first fall in love? Who did she tell? Sad. It hurts when you revisit your own folly.
Lazy Sundays
Are your Sunday afternoons as lazy and quiet as mine? I wake up early, get ready for church and am out the door a little after nine. After worship and the message, we normally get together for lunch. I look forward to extra time with family. But with my last bite of dessert, I have visions of my La-Z-Boy.
It’s a chair, okay?
As we part company, we each seek other pastimes. Mine is going home where I make myself comfortable in front of the TV, my paper and all remotes close at hand. It is quiet. The temperature is cool. At last I can put my feet up and zone out.
Ah bliss. It is only a few minutes until I am watching television through my eyelids.
Does anyone know who invented the siesta?
In “Charlie Brown’s Little Book of Wisdom,” writer Charles Schulz says: “Learn from yesterday, live for today, look to tomorrow, and rest this afternoon.”
I like that.
There is an explanation for this irresistible urge in the middle of your day to go horizontal and take a power nap.
Researchers report that the need for this traditional Spanish-style “time out” has scientific basis. We are biphasic, meaning we need two periods of rest in 24 hours, a long one at night and a brief one during the day. In the early afternoon we experience a drop in energy. A power nap is in order.
We have a biological need for these little breaks to restore energy and improve alertness. It has less to do with what we eat for lunch and more with our body clock telling us to take a 10-20 minute breather.
Don’t feel like you’re a slacker just because you snooze.
Here are some famous people in history who took regular naps. Winston Churchill needed them to cope with his responsibilities during World War II. For him, naps were nonnegotiable. Napoleon was known to have dozed off on his horse, between battles. Brahms nodded off at the piano while composing his famous “Lullaby.” Don’t laugh. It’s on record.
Reminder
Still in a Father’s Day mood, let me share this little unsigned piece to remind all the dads out there that:
A father is respected because
He gives his children leadership,
Appreciated because he gives his children care,
Valued because he gives his children time,
Loved because he gives his children the one thing
They treasure most,
Himself.