Some time ago, one of my friends asked me if I remember what my earliest memory was. After Lola passed away last week, I remembered this question and the answer I gave to my friend:

In 1990, our family drove down to Orlando for vacation when I was three years old. When we went to the Universal Studios amusement park, Chee and Ian were able to ride the E.T. ride with my mom and dad, but I was not allowed to because I was too little. So, while the rest of my family waited in line for the ride, Lola and I stayed behind. Well, I fell asleep and had a nightmare that E.T. kidnapped my family. I remember being upset and distraught. I remember being afraid that E.T. had stolen my family away from me. But what I remember most is that Lola was there when I woke up crying, and she was there to comfort me.

Looking back, Lola is present in most of these early memories. Here’s a list:

• I remember being 2 or 3 years old, potty training, and yelling for Lola to come to the bathroom to wipe my butt.
• I remember Lola teaching me to sing “I have two hands.”
• I remember crying because of Kuya teasing me, and Lola saying her “Why are you crying, kitten?” mantra.
• I remember Lola singing about the bahay kubo.
• I remember playing video games and watching TV during the summer, while Lola ironed my clothes and watched an American soap opera in another room. She knew all the character names and some of the plot lines.
• I remember Lola getting out her sewing equipment from a big old re-pourposed cookie tin.
• I remember getting off the school bus in grade school and Lola always waiting at the door when I got home.
• I remember coming home after school and eating Lola’s spaghetti with pinapple and hot dogs in it. I always ate a full bowl.
• I remember giving Lola her eye drops after her surgery and getting a warm towel ready for her eyes.
• I remember when Lola broke her leg, and I signed her cast.
• I remember all of Lola’s filipino home cooking. It was the best. She always made egg rolls for when I had functions at school. That I will never get to taste her pancit, sinigang, kare-kare,  diniguan, puto, and all the rest – that makes my stomach very sad.
• I remember Lola putting on her powder (pulbos) before we went out
• I remember Lola always leading rosary prayers in Tagalog at family parties.
• I remember getting out of church during the Chicago winters and Lola singing her “Ma-la-mig!” song while we helped walk her to the car.
• I remember Lola applying for her citizenship and being extremely proud when she passed the test.
• And I remember Lola walking up two flights of stairs to go to sleep on her fold-out bed in her and Sheila’s room.

When I was very little, growing up, Lola was not just my caretaker and grandma, but also my best friend. I miss you so much Lola and I know that you are in a better place right now.