So I wrote about our beloved Yaya Michelle leaving. I dreaded the day, the actual minute when she would get into our van and wave goodbye to all of us. And in my head, our daughter Leona would be kicking and screaming trying to wrench herself from our protective grasp to be with her yaya. Thank goodness this did not happen.

The night before, we talked to Leona about her yaya going home to be with her family. My daughter cried and cried. So did I. So did yaya Michelle. We kept trying to explain that yaya will also visit us. And that they can call and write to each other. After a few minutes of heart-breaking sorrow, Leona settled down. Appeased by the promise that they will always communicate and excited with my suggestion that we will throw yaya a going-away party (which Paolo suggested we call a “Happy Trip" party) the next day.

So we got balloons, cake and presents. When Leona got home from school, her papa helped her make a “Happy Trip" banner. We had merienda and took lots of photos. The kids (including cousins from next door) were having fun. It did feel like a party! But of course Yaya and I both knew that our lives would change. She will miss us and we will miss her. And so in between bites of cake, I would see her get all choked up. We were hugging and crying with Paolo in the background reminding us to be happy lest Leona feel the sadness.

Then yaya got in the van. She was holding back tears, trying to be in the same celebratory mood as the kids. The rest of us were standing in our garage, waving balloons, calling out “Happy Trip yaya Michelle!" Leona was as fine as can be. Our prayers were answered!

That night the whole family slept in one room. Paolo was beside Leona and they were huddled up so tight that Paolo woke up with a stiff back. It was great to be together. And I know Leona wasn’t sad. And that was most important.

That night also I realized, this was just the first of many challenges that Paolo and I will have to face. Our other yayas will leave someday. Our kids will fight with their best friends. They might get bullied in school. They will break up with their boyfriends. They might have problematic marriages or children. And Paolo and I will always have to be there, ready to hold them, hug them, tell them we love them. We are ready.

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