LOLA ON THE SIDELINE

Yesterday - what can I tell you. So many emotions to contend with as we made the 90 degree turn to enter the Hospicio - I am telling you, on a span bridge all of a sudden you make a right hand turn, with little room to spare, to turn onto the island where the orphanage is located. The lane that led to the entrance was lined with trees and beautiful. Waiting to have Katrina brought to us seemed like forever and then all of a sudden she was there. I am watching Dusting and Alicia to see their faces as they see their daughter for the first time. That is what was overwhelming - I started to cry. Katrina seemed at ease with them and went to them immediately. Then it was off to visit the different dormitories within the complex. That was my favorite picture - little one in between mommy & daddy walking to her dormitory.
We arrived at feeding time - a line of highchairs set up and all the caregivers delivering the cereals to their charges. The toddler room had 17 cribs, all with names of them. 16 little faces looking at you and wondering - "what the heck are these people doing - didn't know we were on tourist stop." It was the faces that got to me - again the tears, knowing that our little Katrina would now have another life with another group of people that truly were in her corner to give her the life that each child should experience. The infant room - I can definitely say that all of you would have snatched them up to give them love. You can imagine, it would be impossible to hold, cuddle, give attention and soothe all of them. It broke my heart.
The grinning parents left the Hospicio with their daughter. Lola so proud to watch both them embrace the task before them. Eager to do the right thing, but also aware that they now have an awesome responsibility to rear her. Upon arriving at the hotel I immediately left them to get acquainted with their daughter. They needed this time alone.
Guess what I did? I walked over to shopping to look for a battery and cartridge for their video camera which they needed. The place was a madhouse - nothing could have prepared me for a mall that connected with a mall that connected with a mall and another mall and then outside stores. They had me going all over and even though they sell Panasonic they didn't have the batteries - does that make sense? Anyhow, sidelined at the bookstore to get her a cache of Filipino folk lore books, I am asking the cashier for another suggestion and a young lady next in line offers to take me to find the store. She proceeds to cart me all over - truly, over a half hour we trod around - this young lady had a full day at work at Citibank, started at 3:30am and just got off (she is working US hours) and yet she wanted to help me. She wouldn't take a meal or a drink just a hug. Finally I told her she needed to get home to her family, we parted at the Filipino Cultural store and I was amazed at her generosity. Gave me such a warm feeling about my father's people - which I could catch glimpses of as I roamed the city. To put this at an end, I got lost in the maze of malls - panicking I wouldn't find my way out - I wanted to get back to the hotel. Finally made it back - adopted the NYC attitude when crossing the streets - and arrived home to see Katrina running back and forth between our rooms and the parents 'HAPPY".
To my gramma friends - you want to sit back and let the child warm up to you - so hard when you want to establish a bond - but that bond, even for Katrina, seemed immediate - it will be for all of you too - just knowing that the biggest thing you can give their little angel is love and security. Just now they gave her a bath in the sink - they did a good job - you know what I shared, towel in the bottom of the sink, elbow tests the water.....are you laughing now????
Today I will accompany them to the entrustment mass - then I will be off to explore and give them their alone time. Ayala Museum and perhaps another venue. To my family - I think of all of you and know you are with me as I experience all these wonderful sights, sounds, the people, the chaos, the country. To realize that my father came from this place at a time when it wasn't a tenth of what it is today is awe inspiring and I have a new appreciation of what the immigrants have experienced. Love to all of you - the stories are building up.