‘I hope to be as good a lolo as you were’
Dear Lolo Benny in heaven,
Hello, Lolo. You invested so much of your time and your life in me. And so three years after you moved on, I still feel your presence very, very strongly. In more ways than one, your teachings, our memories and shared experiences are like a second skin to me.
By the way, Lolo, I have this beautiful and fascinating relationship and dynamic with my granddaughters Yani and Anya. You always taught me that the secret to winning a woman’s heart is to give her your undivided attention. I did not know how magically that can also work with a 5-year-old and an 18-month-old. Maybe you are surprised as well.
Crickette and I also have a first grandson, Leon, who was born on Aug. 24. I hope to be as good a lolo to these three as you were to 20-plus grandchildren and 30-plus great-grandchildren.
I try to live by what you taught me, Lolo. To make sure that at the end of each day, that I have fully expressed all the love I have for others in deeds, words, compassion, coaching, time and forgiveness. You said, “Donnie, at the end of each day, your love tank must be completely empty!” Don’t assume you will always have time one day to express your love. You never know what will happen tomorrow.
You dared not procrastinate with your love, you gave it all and expressed it all every day. In the end, the days added up to 100 years.
I am trying to follow your example of self-emptying love. Even our work is love made visible ultimately to God.
Happy Grandparents’ Day in Heaven, Lolo Benny!
Donnie
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Bienvenido “Donnie” Tantoco III is the chairman of SSI Group Inc. and president of Rustan Commercial Corp., whose namesake grandfather, the late Ambassador Bienvenido Tantoco, cofounded Rustan’s.
