Tag Archives: reporter life

A tale of two grandmothers

I met two grandmothers at the Home for the Aged in December 2006. The first grandmother who was about 80 years old today used to live an affluent life. She owned and managed a garment business that helped her support her children’s needs until they settle down and raise their own families. When this granny could no longer function well she was forced to close down her business. No one will take care of her so she was sent to the Home for the Aged. At first, her children would visit her and provide her basic needs at the nursing home. She rarely saw her family now. She looks at their pictures when she feels lonely and recalls their happy moments together when she couldn’t sleep at night.

The other grandmother was blinded by old age. She was not lucky to have a child of her own, but someone took care of her and loved her as his own mother. I don’t quite remember why she was turn over to the institution by the young man. But the man still visits the old woman and brings her her favorite food. The granny is more than 90 when I met her. She had difficulty hearing. Grandma one and Grandma two don’t have their real families to comfort them, but they have each other and the nursing staff to take care of them. Many old persons like them are now staying in various nursing homes. I hope their loved ones will be able to remember to visit them even for this Christmas season.

Postcards and memories

I was looking for some old letters to be featured for photohunt last week and saw this Christmas postcard from the box of old pictures and cards. This came from former sources at UNAIDS Philippines (Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS Philippines). The names on the card were members of the health organization who deals with media organizations. These people work efficiently to make the program of the agency accessible to the public. At least, that’s how I know them professionally.

Christmas cards such as this one have a way of bringing back worthwhile memories of my previous job. Aside from postcards I also receive two or more e-cards from news sources during my birthday and holiday season. You may click here if you are looking for cards for your friends at work, family members and other people worth your appreciation this Christmas.