Abuela Anna

Abuela Anna is the greatest Abuela (lola, grandma) ever. She’s been there for us all our lives. She and Abuelo used to live in a different house, but ever since Abuelo died, dad had Abuela move in with us permanently. We were so happy because we didn’t have to travel a long way to Tagaytay just to be with her. Even when they were still living afar, she always make it a point that she visits us every now and then.

At 79, my Abuela Anna is still very strong with her Healthy Lifestyle. Her secret is brisk walking every morning, and eating vegetarian diet. She doesn’t eat meat at all, she doesn’t even eat fish much, only pure vegetables, and mostly raw, blanched, or half cooked. She keeps on telling us to avoid too much salt and caffeine rich beverages. Abuela loves to drink chamomile, green, ginseng, ginger, and lemongrass tea. She is very health conscious, a complete opposite to our late Abuelo, whom we fondly call as Lolo Tacio.  Abuelo was the type who is not that health conscious but he prepared for his old agethat he and Abuela Anna was covered with medical health plans like that of Blue Advantage. Abuelo made sure that whatever happens when they grow old, He is financially ready, unlike what happened to the late Uncle Luis. Abuelo became sickly until he passed away, while our Abuela Anna remained healthy and strong. Abuela looks many years younger than her age. She and Abuelo were about the same age, but people used to mistook Abuela for being a whole lot younger than him.

Abuela Anna gives the most sensible advise, it’s true when they say “Listen to the old people because they have many years of experience and wisdom.” She is also the one who kept us from panicking when our lifestyle suddenly changed as a circumstance to what happened to our late Uncle Luis. She told us stories about her childhood, her parents, and how people can be happy even when they have less when it comes to financial and material riches.

Abuela Anna taught us the value of having strong family ties, the importance of loving one another and caring for each other, how to share and be fair no matter how small the blessings we have, and most of all she showed us that life can be easy, meaningful, and well lived for as long as we are happy.

My younger brother JR has almost the same character and perspective in life as that of Abuela. I guess it’s because he is the Lola’s boy, with the way he is, and his calmness, there’s no doubt he had been enlightened even during his early age. She and Mom Chloe were also the ones who taught and inspired JR to cook delicious food, and also to become a pet lover.  When I realized all these,  I wished I spent more time at home than going outside playing. But, past is past and at least now Abuela is imparting her wisdom and talent in cooking to my wife Andrea, who has also become Mom Chloe and Abuela Anna’s favorite pet. They get along well, most especially when it comes to housekeeping and cooking great food. That’s why, even if we have a smaller home now, but we are still living a good life. Because when it comes to a healthy living, even if my Abuela isn’t a doctor, she truly is a health guru.

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