Chronicles of A Death Foretold

I haven’t read the Marquez novella but I will use its title anyway.

My granny is in the ICU waiting for the inevitable and though we do not wish it, death is something that has overshadowed everyone in our very extended family. We can no longer look at our grandmother and not think that sooner, rather than later, she will be on her way to join those that have gone before us. Lola, is, alas, in the twilight of her life, a really long one at that. She has survived her husband and a few of her children, something that a parent should never go through. She suffers from the ailments that a long life goes hand in hand with, a fleeting memory, slowed movement, and dulled senses.

My lola fits the stereotype of what a lola should look like as described in countless Filipino short stories—a loving repository of short stories, delicious food, and hearty laughter. But most importantly my Lola is the perfect hugging machine. One hug from her and I’m back to my kid self, always wanting to sleep beside her during siesta, trying to beat her at scrabble, and even forcing her to read my Umberto Ecco novels, some of which I can barely finish without getting a headache—but she read them all anyway.

I promised myself that one day, I will buy her all the dime store tagalog novels that she so loves to read. But apart from the usual hugs I haven’t been able to do so. And now she’s in the ICU. I would probably beat myself over the head with regret if not for the welcome news that she’s recovering very well. At least now I’m given a second chance to be true to my word, even if it’s only to myself.

I’ve long known that one of these days, Lola is gonna kick the bucket. But somehow I’ve always taken it for granted that that day is not gonna be tomorrow or the day after that. I can’t believe how foolish I am still. It had to take a trip to the hospital to wake me from the dreamland of my own making. It took a great scare to make me realize how fickle Lola’s situation is. At least for now, I’m given a second chance to never take for granted the months or days that Lola is still among the living, that I really have to do those things that I promised I would NOW. As tomorrow may already be a day too late.