Most people might already know that I’ve had a change of plans, but for those that don’t, I am here in the Bay Area (NorCal). It’s far off from Italy but as someone told me recently; Italy and its treasures have been around for thousands of years. In that same conversation, we decided that the Pantheon had been standing for a few thousand years and that it would probably still be there whenever it is that I get back (although I am hoping/praying that the golden arch eyesore won’t be...). My grandma had a sudden illness and is in the hospital. Unfortunately, the prognosis is not good; in fact, it couldn’t be more opposite. I’m sitting here at her bedside in the hospital and I’m recalling a conversation that I had with my good friend Alex last night. I’m also going to call her Mama because that’s what my sister and I have called her for a very long time. Our friends, Mama’s extended grandchildren, and even some of her close friends have all somehow adopted this nickname for her as well. So, it’s a completely different trip altogether...
I am told that it is good to recall positive thoughts in these times of crises. I have never taken psychology nor any classes on it for that matter and I have no idea if it helps you or not (at least from a clinical perspective). What I do know is that this exercise conjures up a flood of emotions for me and I do feel better after laughing and crying it up for a few. My other friend (and to be honest, that word isn’t adequate) Holly has been up here with me these past few days and I recalled some of the highlights to her of Mama and me together.
One of the oldest memories was riding the San Francisco streetcars (which the city got rid of and then brought back and perhaps gotten rid of again...?). I was sitting in my Mama’s lap in the window seat and a lady sat down next to us. Her city coat fell straight onto my lap and I was definitely bothered by it (this could be why I hated having things at my feet in the car for a long time). So, Mama whispered a few words out to me in Tagalog about moving that lady’s coat off of me and I decided to take her advice. I waited a few moments and I don’t remember why I waited but maybe I understood that I didn’t want it to look too suspicious. At the right moment, that lady’s coat didn’t just come off of me, I practically threw it in the air with a force so violent that it definitely startled the oblivious woman sitting in the seat next to us. Realizing her error, Ms. Oblivious apologized profusely to us and Mama smiled it off.
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