The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
by Boy Villasanta
Life has been generous to veteran actress Caridad Sanchez.
Despite some age-related health issues, Tita (a term of endearment to an elderly woman by affinity and an aunt by blood) Caring is celebrating her ninety-two summers today.
According to her only daughter Cathy Sanchez Babao, she and family will celebrate her mother’s red-letter day with the usual trimmings. “Today we will celebrate Mom’s 92nd birthday the way we always have: flowers on the table, her favorite cake, and music playing in the background,” Cathy wrote on her Facebook wall.
Sanchez Babao recalled that last year, they also had a celebration. Although there were instances of some moments of forgetfulness and memory lapses, the esteemed actress had still expressed her filial love through her warm gaze and smile.
“On her birthday last year, there were moments she looked at me and smiled in that familiar way that made time fall away. And even when names slipped or stories unraveled mid-sentence, her warmth remained. Her laugh still rang like wind chimes in summer,” shared Sanchez Babao.
The daughter has, in fact, discovered insights on how to deal with the situation.
“I’ve learned that love doesn’t need to be remembered to be real. That presence, true, quiet presence, is its own kind of language,” she said.
“So today, we won’t ask her to remember. We will simply love her where she is, exactly as she is.
“Happy, happy birthday, Mommy! You are still the heart of our home, and always, always, the keeper of my first and deepest kind of love. I’m deeply grateful you’re still here that we can still hug you and hold your hand. We’ll celebrate again when I’m back. We love you!” revealed Cathy with a heart emoji.