The Essence is still LOVE

A Photograph when Words Fail Me

I flew home to Manila a few days ago and was startled by the the dramatic transformation in my parents. My mother was hospitalized two months ago while my father suffered a mild stroke this past summer. They both appeared frail—a stark contrast from six years ago when we celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.

After taking her medication and vitamins, Rochelle, my mother’s caregiver, retrieved a freshly laundered dark navy blue duster with colorful plant patterns from her cabinet and dressed her. She penciled her eyebrows, dabbed some natural eyeshadow on her eyelids, combed her hair and applied red lipstick on her lips. She helped push her off from the bed to the wheelchair then rolled her towards my father’s room located at end of the corridor.

My dad’s face lit up as she saw her. He signaled to Jellen, his caregiver, to help him sit up. Rochelle parked the wheelchair at the edge of my father’s bed and took her seat at the corner of the room. My dad extended his affected right hand. She met his, tenderly caressing his fingers. A world of unspoken emotions passed between them– comfort, reassurance and in spite of their strained marriage and his past actions, love.

My parents hold hands. Photograph by Stella Kalaw

When my mother was bedridden after returning home from the hospital, my father, with the help of his caregiver, walked across the corridor to visit her. He sat on the bed and held her hand in silence. Then he uttered, “Okay pa tayo, Mother,” (We’re still alright, Mother).

Beauty often surfaces in unexpected moments. My parents were never ones to openly show affection. I'm still struggling to describe my emotions, but I hope this photograph can speak when words fail me.