I'm here to join ASEAN Hive Community Challenge again and the topic is "Family Heirlooms". Well, we don't really have heirlooms both in my paternal and maternal sides, but I've got a story to tell.
Before I start, I'd like to introduce my late grandpa from my father's side.
This is an artwork I made of my grandpa last year...
If there's someone I look up to the most in the world, that would be my grandpa. He was the kindest and most amazing person I've ever met.
Grandpa was only an elementary graduate, but he was smart and the experiences he had in life gave him wisdom. Our family was so amazing when grandpa was still around. He really knew how to keep the family intact.
He's also a really great person. Even if he doesn't have enough for himself, he was always willing to help those who are in need. He taught me to be a good person and to value relationships with others. I remember every time we go around the market or anywhere else, a lot of people would greet him and show their respect to him. I'd hear a lot of great things about him from a lot of people. I really miss him, but he will forever be in my heart.
The reason why I talked about my late grandpa is because of the topic of this challenge. These things may not be considered family heirlooms, but my grandpa did pass these down to me.
I guess I was in high school when my grandpa and grandma gave this to me. I'm one of the older female grandchild, so probably that's why they gave me this.
This jewelry/music box was gifted to them on their wedding day. I remember, grandma placed this inside a chest under their bed. hahaha One summer when I visited them, grandpa and grandma were in their room when they called me... and I was surprised when they gave me several things and this was one of them. The music box still works, but the magnet under the dancers got lost... Maybe I can change it and it'll work as before.
Alongside the jewelry box, grandpa also gave me his old harmonica. If I'm not mistaken, grandpa had this even before he and grandma got married. I don't know how to play it, but I've been keeping this baby for almost 20 years now.
These are the treasures I received from my grandma and my late grandpa.
There's another thing that I'm going to show you.
These are old 20-peso bill (Last picture is a comparison between the old one and the new one). When I was young, grandpa taught me how to save money. And to start with, he used to give me crisp paper bills to put in my wallet. Grandpa has a lot of crisp paper bills inside his own wallet and he used to show them to me. It's funny because he allows me to check his wallet, but even grandma wasn't allowed to check it. hahahah
The year before he died, grandpa came to Cebu because his brother was sick. He visited him and helped him financially. Even though he came here for that purpose, he still gave me these three 20-peso bill to keep while saying, "Kani lang sa imoha dai, kay tabangan sa nato si lolo nimo." (I'm giving you this amount for now my grandchild, since we still have to help your grandpa[his bro])
He didn't have to give me anything because he came here to help his brother, but he still did.
Little did I know, that was the last time grandpa was able to give me crisp paper bills. His health condition turned really bad that he needed to be hospitalized for a long time here in Cebu. We tried fighting... he personally tried but there was no hope because of his age... everything would be too risky.
He decided to go back to his hometown and I wanted to go with him, but he said, he could wait because I was going to have my final exam during that week at the nursing school. A few days after he went back, he passed away. T_T Mama followed papa in his hometown that day and I followed the day after because I promised grandpa that I'd finish my exam... I kept my promise, but he didn't. He didn't wait for me... and it still hurts to think about it until now. I really love my grandpa....
Damn!!! Why are there ninjas cutting onions here????
It has almost been 15 years since he left, but he will forever be in our hearts. I will always remember our memories together, be it the good times or the bad times. Grandpa will forever be an important part of my life. He has taught me a lot of things... most of all, he has taught me how to be a better person.
Waaah~ this challenge was heavy, but I'm glad to get the chance to tell the world how awesome my grandpa was! <3
