Our mama was hospitalized (QI), leaving me with my older brother and younger sister (5, 4, 2 years) in the care of our papa. For breakfast, he steamed some sweet potato leaves, sliced up some tomatoes, red onions and chopped up some ginger. He was pleased to serve this. I took a bite, then was startled at the sharpness of the ginger.

My papa thought he made a mistake when he added ginger, started apologizing then began to cry.

I heard stories that when my papa was about my age then that he would rummage through the laundry hamper in search for my Lola’s clothes and would hug them tightly. Our Lola was a public health nurse who often left her children in response to a variety of medical emergencies in the community that would also include someone’s dental problems or someone’s ailing horse.

I write this, recovering from surgery, thinking that if he lived to today, he would be 101 years.

Today I saw a video of my apó happily eating some dried tomatoes.  I am looking forward to his visit today with his parents. 

Next week, I look forward to seeing the cast removed and finding new ways to walk again.