Lolo Nanding

It’s difficult to speak about my Lolo without my Lola, because, really, they were always partners in crime. =) The good kind of crime. They would gather all available grandchildren and bring them to places for new adventures (Baguio, Batangas, Tagaytay, Laguna, Antipolo). They were the original masterminds of a day my cousins and I would fondly call “Cousins Day”. So really, when I think about my Lolo Nanding (Fernando Cortez Montes who died April 10, 2012), he was always next to Lola Puring, loading grandchildren in a van for a summer adventure, sitting at a particular side of a big round table, or hearing mass at Miraculous Medal.  Even when we came to visit Lola Puring while Lolo is in the hospital, Ozzy pointed at Lolo’s side of the bed and asked, “Where’s the Lolo?”.

My Lolo, on my wedding day during the wedding cake cutting.
"Open your mouth big! It's the last time you'll open your mouth."

During my Ozzy's baby shower. Lolo was listening to Lola.

They were one of my first visitors when I gave birth. They came into my small hospital room in wheelchairs that was big enough just to fit both of them side by side with Tito Pierre Montes right behind. They were very excited to see Ozzy. Lolo told me, he wanted to see his first great grandchild. He saw two great grandchildren: Ian and Ozzy.

He left us with a strong sense of love for the family.  He was humorous, warm, and loving during difficult and not-so-difficult times. Always strong in prayer. Persistent. Faithful.

Thank you Lolo (and Lola) for being a great example of the mystery of God's love for us. Thank you for bringing us close to God.