A Visit to Lolo and Lola

My family and I visited New York mid-September for a week.  We stayed at my sister Nicola's apartment in Manhattan - my mother also stays with her.  We've visited a number of places in the city which I will write on separately.

On the last leg of our visit, we (together with sisters Nicola and Kristina) went to Staten Island via ferry boat from downtown Manhattan (near Battery Park and the St Elizabeth Ann Seton Church).  Staten Island is where most of Papa's siblings and their families live.  Papa fetched us and one of my sisters told him that we wanted to visit the graveyard of our grandparents Lolo Paul and Lola Piling as well as that of Tita Aning, Papa's first cousin.

Unlike Manhattan, Staten Island seems more relaxed and has a considerable amount of trees and other natural resources. It was a sunny 15th of September. 

Days ago, I was having thoughts of what will I say on my grandparents' grave. Should I introduce Nidz and Chiara to them? Will I sing for them "Salve Regina", a song they once sang? When we arrived at the Moravian Cemetery, Papa tidied up the place as there have been rubbish covering the epitaph. Nicola put some flowers we bought for them. As for me, all my plans evaporated. I couldn't say a thing. Papa started to lead us in prayer and then we stayed for a few minutes just to look at the place and exchange pleasantries with Pilar Vera, a first cousin who came by. Still, I couldn't say a thing. I just gazed at the grave.  Kristina started saying (to my grandparents) "Here is your grandson." I became teary-eyed, but managed to hide it. I simply kissed the epitaph twice - one for Lolo and one for Lola as a sign of my respect, the way I did when they were still alive.

As our relatives were waiting for us in a house nearby, we started to wrap up our visit by having a picture taking (see above).  Chiara, strangely, stood on top of the epitaph. I put my hands on her  to protect her from falling.  The ease and speed of technology brought this picture to another part of the globe. My brother Gio (who's in Singapore) would later tell me that he saw the picture and was asking why I let Chiara stood on the epitaph. My brother felt it seems disrespectful. I told him I don't think so. For me, Chiara standing on top of the epitaph, is a statement that she has Albano roots. That she is a great granddaughter of Paulino and Pilar.

It was my first visit to my grandparents' burial place and I felt their presence. Perhaps that was the reason why I was speechless. It was an emotional occasion.  I'm very grateful for having been there with my wife and child and with other members of the family.  In a way, I felt Lolo and Lola were still alive in the faith that we continue to live, celebrate, and share.The same faith that they once cherished and passed on to us.

May God bless their souls. Amen.