For My Te Linda

 

This year has been hard and now I am trying to process this. How do you start grieving for the woman who raised you as though you were her own child? Maybe I will start with sharing my memories of her.

Te Linda (or Maligalig as my mama will call her) did not have any children, but she treated me and my brother as though we were own. She was with us even before my brother was born. Although my mama will not admit it, she was the queen of our household when I was growing up. People now talk about support systems for women who work, I think my mama was lucky that she had Ate Linda to raise us while she worked and was able to have a career back then.

I would always remember her laughter and her love for gossip. My mama will always tell her to speak softly because when she talked or laughed our next-door neighbours can hear her and everyone will know what is going on in our household. We were always updated with the latest news in our village and people gravitated towards our house because they would love to chat with Te Linda. Everyone loved her.  She was fond of good food and taught me to cook. My lola entrusted her heirloom recipes to her and then she, in turn, passed them down to me.

She did not know how to read nor write but she was smart.   So smart that she will trick me to do the household chores when my mama was at work (just kidding, I was the one who wanted to do it, or did she outsmart me?).  She also loved Tia Dhely and those radio dramas.

Ate Linda did not walk she waddled, and that is one of the things I loved about her. Looking back, I think I got my humour, love of good food and dramas from her. I would now say that I got that from her side of the family.

She was proud of us. If we achieved academic honours or accolades, everyone in the neighbourhood will know it. I can imagine us being the stars of her stories when she got old.  I just hoped she will embellish as she usually does that, I have a statuesque physique and was a runner up for Bb. Pilipinas.

Last year, she spent a bit of time with us when my father got sick. Although she was older and was not as quick as before, she cooked my favourite dishes and told me her stories just like before. I just wished that she could have stayed longer but her health was not the same even then. But I am thankful that for one last time, I was able to hear the radio dramas and hear that crazy laugh again.

I love you Ate Linda. I am not sure if I said this to you, but I know that you know that you were my second mother, and we owe a lot to you. Until we meet again, I am sure you are enjoying the chismis and food there in heaven.