Today is the day I write about today! This is a deeply personal story, and not written as a literary piece. We all have our special moments, and today is that for me.
Today is truly a memorable day! The fourth
of November, in the year 2015! It’s a sunny day. It’s a beautiful day. I will
mark this day as a day to celebrate!
Before today, there was yesterday, and
before yesterday were many other days. Sure, I’ve also had many special days on
days before today, but those days were not as special as today! I admit that I
cried with joy when my grandchildren were born (as I did when my own children came
into this world), got blown away when I saw my babies' and grandbabies' first smiles, or heard them
call me “Mama” or “Lola.” I was always thrilled when my grandchildren, coaxed by their mama or
papa, would repeat, “I love you, Lola.”
In the days before today, when I offered to
carry, feed, or play with them – my sweet granddaughters would say, “Mama
only,” or “Only Papa.” That’s to be expected, right, so I didn’t feel so badly,
but secretly, I wished to hear them say that it was me whom they preferred. I
wanted to hear them say, “Only Lola.”
Today is the day that I prayed, longed,
wished for. Kathy had asked me to
babysit my grandchildren as she had a doctor’s appointment towards noon, and
the kids had music class at 10am. As we
left their house to go to Music Class, my younger granddaughter, A*, refusing
help from Kathy’s helpers, said, “Only Lola.” Those words sounded as clear and
melodious as bells on a carillon, or on a windchime, and I still hear them in my ears, and in my
head. I think my whole body heard my granddaughter say, “Only Lola.”
Of course, it’s probably because her mama
carried her bigger sister, G*, to leave me to carry the smaller one, but who cares?
I just heard “Lola only,” and I chose to ignore the circumstances that made her
say that. When she needed assistance in getting up to the car, she said again,
“Lola only.” But then, she changed her mind, and said “Self. Self.” She’s 1-1/2
months short of being two years old, so I’m not going to dampen her attempt at
being independent by insisting that she sticks to her first declaration, “Lola
only.”
After Music Class, before we crossed the
street, she turned down help from others, including our driver, Junie, and
insisted, “Only Lola.”
That’s three times today, (well, 2-1/2
times) that I was the special, the chosen, the preferred one.
“Only Lola.” I’ll forever remember today.
P.S. Although I posted this today, instead
of yesterday, the feeling is as strong today, as it was yesterday. I told Wowo
this story last night, and this morning upon waking up, I asked him “Lola only?”
and he said “Yes, you only.” <3
