A Granddaughter's Promise

“A Granddaughter’s Promise” by Rain Wyelle

It was September 28, 2008. Two days from now, my parents and I are departing to Canada. To think just eight weeks ago, we just landed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport for a two-month vacation in the Philippines. My name is Rain Luo. I'm fourteen years old. It's been two years since my parents and I immigrated to Canada. Honestly, I miss my homeland badly especially my loved ones and friends. However, my parents have to get back to their jobs and I have to get back in school too. It was a sunny Sunday morning, the day I could never forget. I was sitting on the couch by the living room lost in thoughts.

"I don't want to leave this place. My friends and relatives, they lived here so I must stay. My parents raised me here."

That moment, I kept wishing time would stop, perhaps make it longer somehow. Later on, two of my closest cousins, Beatrice and Melanie came by. Both of them were my childhood playmates, best friends, and neighbors’ too. We used to join kids clubs because we love to show off our talents such as singing and dancing. We've performed on stage several times. It sure was a remarkable performance and experience. As they entered my house, we caught up on things and I totally forgot about my worries. I'll dearly miss my cousins but mostly, I'll miss my grandmother, Lola Bering much more. She's seventy-nine years old. She appears to be skinny, shorter than average, has curly black hair, weary black eyes and wrinkly skin. She can no longer walk due to her arthritis. Recently, she was diagnosed of Alzheimer's disease. She barely recognizes her relatives, even her children. My grandmother sure has gotten old. She's the only grandparent I have left. My other grandparents already passed away years ago that's why I love my grandmother very much. I treasure her the most. I remember in my childhood days, she often looks after me. She puts me to sleep by singing, feeds me when I'm hungry, takes care of me when I'm sick and gives me money to buy food. Just the thought of leaving her again, makes my heart ache. Later on, my cousins left and so I went to my grandmother's house. It was a few steps away from our house. My grandmother was sitting in her wheelchair by the terrace. Recently, she was hospitalized due to pneumonia. I fear for her ailing condition. She's getting weak and old. She needs more medical attention and tender loving care from her family and that includes me. I felt guilty because I'd have to leave her again. I slowly walked up to my grandmother, stared at her eyes as I kissed her on the cheek. I wrapped my arms around her and hugged her tightly. I'm aware she might not recognize me as her grandchild but after a few seconds, she started to spoke.

"Rain...Rain..." she called out my name slowly.

I was amazed she remembered my name and pronounced it clearly. The next few seconds surprised me even more when she tilt her head as she stared at me and said,

"Rain, my dear grandchild, please don't ever forget me, your grandmother. Always keep in mind that I love you so much." she said smiling.

As she said those words, I was in shock, speechless and overjoyed at the same time. Tears started to fell down my face as I paused for a moment.

"Lola Bering, I love you very much. I know we'll be thousands of miles away again; you'll always be in my heart forever. I will never forget you and that's a promise." I replied smiling.

Her words gave me the encouragement to return to Canada to show her that I can fulfill my lifetime promise.