Ay Ala e si Gonying

By: Sr. Doraine, A.R.

In one unit of the infirmary at Tahanang Talangpas, Tagaytay City, a group of caregiveres flocked to the bed of a Sister. They were so carefree in conversing with her and too amused on how she talked and laughed. As I passed by nearer to them, they persuaded her to walk, and I heard: “Gonying, Gonying. Naku andoon na Si Gonying!” And.l asked myself, “Was that name addressed to me?” “I presumed not. Who then is Gonying? I have not known a Sister named Gonying here at Tahanan.” That Sister then asked,: “Ay nasaan ba Si Gonying?” and she stood up and tried to look for Gonying, a few minutes passed she forgot whom she was looking for. As she was walking, I stayed beside her and curiously asked, “Sino P0 ba si Gonying?” One of the caregivers exclaimed: “Ah, si Gonying!” She faced the Sister and asked,: “Sr. Mary Bernard, ay sino nga P0 ba si Gonying?” She answered: “Ay sino nga ba Si Gonying? Ay ala e bunso kong kapatid” And she became so joyous with her big smile as she revealed:

“Si Gonying ay napakabait na bata. Mahal niya ako at mahal ko rin siya. Siya ay magandang maganda.” Suddenly, she remembered: “Ay nasaan na nga ba si Gonying?”

But why do they love to call the name of “Gonying”?

As the days passed by, I saw from time to time Sr. Mary Bernard, the Sister who attracts visitors, students and caregivers, with her lively and joyful aura and presence, Sifting on heer wheelchair. With my two eyes, I knew why they loved to call Gonying.

‘Gonying’ is like a password, something so magical; once you use this to Sr. Mary Bernard, you could easily get in to her system.

One early morning, she did not like to get up to take her bath. “How could she be motivated?” A caregiver told her, “Naku, andoon na po si Gonying sa loob ng banyo. Hinihintay ka. Umiiyak na dahil ang tagal mo!”: role played by the caregiver. Her eyes opened and she asked, “Ay kaawa awa naman, sabihin mo huwag siyang umiyak! Gonying, Gonying, andyan ka nga ba?” Sr. Mary Bernard stood up, despite that she did not like to take her bath, just to soothe her youngest sister Gonying. To make the play short she was bathed by the caregiver. At any rate, when she was there, she had forgotten Gonying. After she was bathed and dressed up, ow she has to walk through the chapel. Her unit is just adjacent to the chapel but with her age she has a long journey to reach that place. Again, she was too lazy and felt so cold. She did not like to walk. The caregiver again played the role, “Andoon si Gonying sa Chapel, naghihintay sa iyo dahil may humabol sa kanya. Sige na puntahan na natin”. Of course, she would strive to walk to save Gonying.

When Gonying died we informed her and she cried and responded, “Ay ganoon nga ba! Ay kailan siya namatay. Bakit?” Again some Sisters condoled her and she would repeating the same response, “Ay ganoon nga ba! Ay kailan nga ba siya namatay. Bakit?”

Now, it’s difficult for her to walk since she deteriorating and her bones too are osteoporoti When she would be asked to walk using the name Gonying, somehow she walked, but could not endu anymore. However, her physician is still encouragir her to walk as he told her, “If you are the oldest Sister in your palace then you may not walk but there is 51 older than you, so you really have to walk.”

I marveled at Gonying. How she is loved her Sister Mary Bernard. I am amazed of Gonying importance to her. Sometimes she forgets the name of her parents but not with Gonying.

At 92, Sr. Mary Bernard who hails from Lemery, Batangas celebrated her Diamond Jubilee last April 24, 2007 with her relatives attending if ceremony. Despite that she was not feeling well, as she saw them after her hour of rest, still managed to entertain them with her hilarious facial expressior and smiles and rendered them a song. They left wil the thoughts that she is so fine and still wonderful.

Many would wish how they love to grow old like Sr. Mary Bernard. She has grown old graciously. She entertains visitors, students and caregivers. She kindles them to laugh with her songs, “Nanay” an “Ang Dalagang Pilipina” with matching action and course with her smiles and laughter.

In our old age, we would have different abilities and talents which we would never imagine. Hopefully, when we reach that age we would also be a graceful one.

It would be our pleasure to know your swe~ sounding password when you grow old so that would be easy for us to motivate you in any activity.

What could then be our password when w grow old?

Abangan...