GRASSROOTS – LAST SUMMER’S “APOSTOLIC” DUTY OF A RETIREE

The autumn winds are finally here, gently breezing through the balmy summertide of Barcelona dissipating from the atmosphere like the flight of sunburnt tourists towards reality. The cumulus clouds now darken the day skies even as the sun with its fading heat peeps through. Our memory of summer in California continues to linger on as we also settled back to reality in the heart of Catalunya.

Nena and I decided to spend summer with our daughter Carla’s family in Lincoln City where they established residence. We did not visit them last year, hence our three-month stay. We wrote some episodes of our happenings with the California family and friends in our previous columns, intermittently though because we were on vacation, obviously. But what impressed me was the realization that our grandchildren have grown not just physically (Basti and Andoni are now taller than I am, and Sean has gradually grown up to my upper arm) but emotionally and maturely. 

Basti graduated from high school and is now in college. On October 1, he will be 18 years old. Andoni, who spent his summer vacation in California, flew in from Geneva -his first solo journey. He is now in his junior year in high school. Sean will soon be in high school after this school year. Our only granddaughter Amaia, who was baptized in Barcelona last year, now walks and runs on her own. Soon, Amaia and Andoni will have a sister when their Mommy Chantal gives birth next month. She will be our fifth Apo’.

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Especially, as to Basti and Andoni, it is so fascinating to see, watch and learn about their development from toddlers to teenagers. It is like reliving the time when their mothers, Carla and Chantal were growing up with us. But it is now the turn of Carla and Chantal to rear them. Nena and I are just observers and standbys for any “apostolic” duty and support. Thus, we make it a point to spend time with them every year and whenever we are needed. 

Barcelona is just an hour and a half flight to Geneva. So, whenever Chantal needs assistance, Nena hops on a plane and flies to Geneva. I hold the fort here, unless I yearn for family company too. Chantal and Rich employed a daytime helper but nothing beats an “Abuelita” around in their house. With the coming of another baby, three kids will be a handful to care for, given the added fact that Chantal and Rich are assigned by the nature of their jobs to do trainings or lectures in other countries for a week or so. Teenage son, Andoni, helps a lot especially with his ladder legs (he is now almost 6’3”) though he eats a lot and craves for Abuelita’s home cooking of Spanish dishes.

Whereas, some years ago, we were talking about the games and toys they would play and compete in at school, the “guys” now talk about their college education and future careers. Basti will pursue a computer engineering degree which has more potential and challenges than computer programming, a much-exploited field already. Who knows, Basti may yet invent something in the field of computer technology with his imaginative mind. On the other hand, Andoni will take up medicine, hoping to be a doctor or surgeon. Andoni passed the Cambridge IGCSE, an international qualification for college education test that is recognized worldwide, thus allowing him to enrol in any school for his degree in Medicine. Andoni took the month and a half long tests but passed them with flying colours. He decided to look into the schools of medicine in the UK and Europe. He can be guided by Rich’s father, Dr. Hilary Parker who was the Yorkshire Village physician. Sean, who leads in academics, continues to amaze his teachers in school together with his wit and humour. Sean’s natural friendliness made him known by all the teachers in their school and his fellow students, as well. He may yet become our California Governor instead of his brother Basti, who has the potential of a great leader of men, whom I thought will be the one. As to Amaia, she is the ever-active baby girl who has a mind of her own. She loves music and she mimics the singer as she also sways and flings her arms in sync with the song. Now, we await the arrival of our next “ELSA”, in October.