After spending our Valentines at the home for the aged at Bahay Kanlungan in Antipolo, I asked my husband Ron if he would still love me when I was old and wrinkly and looking like this…
This lovely lady, who is turning 100 in 3 months, has NEVER been married!
And he said, “YES lovey, because I would be older and ‘wrinklier’ and a whole lot uglier than you!!!” LOLOLOL!!!
Ah yes, Ron can be REALLY funny, but can I trust him?
I most heartily think so.
Ron and I have been together for 18 and a half years now and the wrinkles ARE beginning to show on my face. Ron knew me first when I was as fresh as a bowl of salad. Now, my bones are starting to get creaky, and the occasional white hair is becoming a common occurrence, but he is still the same devoted man who gets out of bed ahead of me to make sure breakfast is served.
Yes, I think I will be loved even after all my teeth have fallen away.
Speaking of falling teeth, the First Love Valentine’s Party we had with the old folks residing at the hospice of Bahay Kanlungan was tremendous FUN! We brought our young volunteers to party with the oldies (but goldies) and we had quite a crazy time.
Pastor Rodel sharing Jesus' Christ's love with the residents of Bahay Kanlungan
The Care Givers are amazing I have to say. The sweetest one I saw was Desiree who kept kissing her ward – Lola Caridad who was sitting in her wheelchair, just lying there like a little tahong and not reacting to a single thing.
Desiree told me that Lola Caridad had taken a turn for the worse in recent months – they had to start feeding her through a tube in her stomach! But thankfully, that lasted for only awhile – Lola Caridad is now eating again albeit with help.
Lola Caridad with Caregiver Desiree - sweet Valentine friends!
Will I be like Lola Caridad one day? Stuck in a wheelchair, being handfed like a baby? Perhaps yes, perhaps no, but somehow seeing her made me feel braver about the future. Maybe because I know that when I reach her age, I too will be loved and cared for…
When the dancing began, I realized that old people LOOOOVE music! At least the ones at Bahay Kanlungan did. They sang and they danced with us but they didn’t seem too impressed by our efforts. LOLOL! I guess when you are in your 80s and beyond, you develop that been-there-done-that attitude which can only be moved by a Cirque du Soliel performance.
There I am dancing with Lola Belen while Val assists... she TIRED ME OUT!
But they did appreciate our being there and our trying-hard efforts to chat with them and be warm and friendly by smiling and holding their hands. Nothing like the human touch, awkward or not…
Slowing down and spending time with the old folk at Bahay Kanlungan was so good for my soul. I tried hard to get to know all 28 of them but all we had was 3 hours and they started getting tired after 2 of those hours passed by. I guess this means a 2nd visit is in the offing. Maybe in March when I turn a year older and wiser and wrinklier!!!
Happy Valentines!!!
Ron T hanging out with Lola Epi from Bahay Kanlungan
Bonding with Lola Raquel who is from the Negrito Tribe
[...] } Right after spending Valentines at Bahay Kanlungan with a group of oldies but goodies, I dived straight into getting ready for a dream trip: Visiting New [...]
Heya joycie..
shucks… =/
now yer makin me feel like i shoulda been ther.
Lola Raquel(the last photo) is actually Ache(“ate” in kapampangan) Raquel.. who served my mom’s family for many years …
mno
Oh my what a coincidence! Lola Raquel is SOSOSOSO sweeeet! I want to visit her again…
[...] I was busy with a charity event that I organized for some lonely old folks last Valentines (click here to see more about that) and then I had to fly off to Rotorua, New Zealand for the UCB Media Conference which I got invited [...]
[...] her time and effort with our less fortunate brethren. That time, they were scheduled to hold a Valentines party for the elderly in a homecare in Antipolo. There has been a number of charity works that Joyce had spearheaded [...]