Charmed
Life
Gretheline
Genciana Ramos-Bolandrina
Godmothers
"But there can only be fairy
godmothers because there are godmothers; and there can only be godmothers
because there is God.”—GK Chesterton
Chesterton's full name was Gilbert Keith
Chesterton (1874-1936). Born in London, he was an English author known for
his essays on almost every popular subject of his time. He also wrote
biographies, fiction and poetry. He played a major part in the literary life
of London for almost 40 years. I love that I could quote what he said about
godmothers.
My Mom is the perfect mother, never careless
or untidy, always creative and resourceful. I watched her transform regular
fabric into beautiful creations. She made the yummiest dishes. She gave the
most reasonable advice. She treated us, her daughters (and unico hijo Jun)
with more care than she did adult human beings. That she was in the teaching
profession was a blessing. She touched so many young lives positively. That
she majored in home ec was an added plus! (I designed my own wedding gown
and my Mom handmade it). I don't know how much influence my Dad had over
picking our godparents at Baptism but I thought my Mom had shown wonderful
regard in this matter. My Ate Grace had twelve sets of godparents. How many
she now personally knows or she's actually in contact with, I have no idea.
I have 4 godmothers, three of which are married, which sort of gave me godfathers
by default. All the ladies have a Bachelor's degree in Education; all are
teachers from Isabela, my parents' province. There's my Ninang Linda Roxas,
my Ninang Amada Simon. I forgot which is which (only met them both personally
in 1987 after I graduated from Nursing School). One of them wanted to pair
me off with their bachelor son, an engineer of some sort (chuckle, that didn't
pan out). Then there's my Ninang Remy Ulep, now based in Italy, who I correspond
with the most, but, save for my actual Christening day, I've never even laid
eyes on her and vice versa. Last but not the least is my Mama Fing (Teofista
Ramos), my Dad's older sister. Never married, was a school principal. I am
closest to her among all my Ninangs. Though none of them were a part of my
daily existence, not all shared in many of the big celebrations in my life,
they all hold a special place in my heart. They have shared wonderful stories
of me as a chubby pre-school child. I actually spent a school year with Mama
Fing in Auitan, San Pablo as a freshman in High School. I was her only
goddaughter, a favorite among many godsons. I learned to play Mahjong there!
In 1988, as a nurse at the Philippine General
Hospital, I was very honored to have been asked to be one of the godmothers
for Robina Care Waje; her Mom Edna was our unit Secretary at the Rehab Ward.
Then came Marinela Laprupay, her Mom Neline was a co-staff nurse. My first
godson, Paul Dave Edralin's Mom is Lizette. We were very close as new grads,
sharing experiences both exhilarating and embarrassing. We were even dorm
mates. Two male orderlies I worked with, Ronald and Joy, became my "Kumpares"
when they asked me to be godmother for their daughters. I was already in
Boston, so my "godmother-ship" was by proxy. It didn't change the honor and
responsibility I felt. Not to mention that this time around, my name was
even adopted as my godchild's middle name. Romina Gretheline de la Cruz.
She's the only other Gretheline I know, roaming around the planet! As history
repeats itself, I am geographically far away from my god kids. I do correspond
and try to personally see them every time I go to the Philippines. Marinela
who's now London based turns 18 in April! Where did the time go? We e-mail
each other frequently. I have a full list of god kids, some blood relatives;
others are close friends' offsprings, all very special individuals. To them
I want to be, the sort of Godmother that one can run away to. Always seen
as an ally, always on their side whether or not they deserve it. The kind
I always had when I needed them. And if at all possible, the kind that makes
you feel special and helps make their dreams come true.
Feel free to e-mail me reactions, comments
and or suggestions for ideas to ponder. Contact me at
Gretheline@aol.com or through Carousel
Productions. |
