She's 91

They say age is just a number but when you reach 91 years of age, it's not just a number but a HUGE GIFT!

My grandmother Juana just turned 91 yesterday and she, as always, became so emotional. We are living in one compound and her house, their ancestral house actually, lies in the middle. It's where she and her siblings kept all the memories of their childhood. She literally lives there alone but a cousin will accompany her at night. We have asked her several times if she wanted to live with us but she always refuse. She would say, I will not leave my house alone😊. So we just let her be and our family, my cousins and her other sister who lives next to our house are always here checking on her and provide her needs.

Lola Juana is the 4th of the 9 siblings. The 2nd one is 97 years old already, still active and even the president of the senior citizen in their community. Sadly, it had been 2 years since she last visited us here because of the pandemic. Going back, Lola Juana is single and never got the chance to have a family on her own. When we ask her why she chose to be single, she would answer because her parents are too strict and that she worked hard to help her family and for her younger siblings to finish school.

During her younger years, Lola Juana would go to the field with her father. They will plow, plant rice and other vegetables and sell them in the market. She already witnessed a lot of generations which includes Japanese war against Philippines. She remembered vividly how she would climb trees and hide to avoid being caught and be one of their slaves. She and her family survived that war.

She became a businesswoman, she partnered with her best friend and eldest sister. They have a sari-sari store and they also buy and sell tobacco, garlic, onion, rice and other food crops. Lola Juana invested too much to their youngest brother. She made sure that he will graduate and will have the best future amongst them all. She succeeded and her brother graduated as an Engineer and have given the chance to work in the US where he and his family lives until now.

When my uncle had a daughter and needed someone to take care of her, she left her under Lola Juana's care. My cousin lived with from a 4-month old baby until she graduated highschool. She considered Lola Juana as her 2nd mother. So it was painful for the both of them when my uncle decided to bring her to Manila for college and to live with them. Leaving Lola alone in her home. But Lola accepted the fact that she cannot have her forever.

Lola was one of the happiest person when I was pregnant. She was too excited that she gave me ten (10) 1940-1970's 50 cents coin. I actually checked the value of these coins online and they are quite shocking so I intent to keep them and give it to my daughter when she turned 18. I remember when we came home from the hospital, she was waiting for us at our door and wanted to immediately carry my Yuri. My baby is the first great grandchild that she was able to carry and hold.

Lola at her age is still strong and healthy. She can still go up and down alone on their stairs, wash her own clothes, sweep the floor and sometimes yells when some neighbors throw their trash in front of her house😊. She can still remember those who borrowed money from her and how much. Lola is very admirable, she brings so much happiness in our lives. She's an inspiration.

I hope and pray that God will continue to bless her, give her good health and to be happy all the time.

...^•°...

Thanks for reading and God bless us all.

Lead image is mine.
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