Week 22-28 June 2008
Vicki has made many friends in the Philippines, and we visited one of her special friends this week. Florencia is a 94 year old local midwife, who only recently retired. She lives up the hill in a big family compound reached via a rock stairway. She was so happy to see Vicki and was very gracious to the rest of us. She sent granddaughters out for merienda of bread, Sky Flake crackers and Coca Cola. My son-in-law Chris had brought Maia along, and this great-grandmother of dozens flirted with her and danced for her--it was very very cool. Many of her granddaughters and greatgrandaughters also played with Maia and we played with the little ones too.
Florencia went to a cupboard and returned with a treasure. It was a metal box given her in the 1940's by UNICEF. It contained her midwife kit. She is very proud of it. Vicki says that to get a perspective on how old Florencia is, she already had 4 children when the Philippines was invaded by the Japanese during WWII, and that she delivered babies while in hiding under horrendous war conditions during that time.
I asked if I could take pictures. She agreed but wanted to comb her hair first.
She is beautiful. She is loved. It is obvious in the faces of her family. I'm honored to have met her and been a visitor in her home.
1 comment:
That sounds great MOM!!! I am glad you are having a great time! I wish I was there!
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