LOLA LEE- Spring of Wisdom, Beauty & Eternal Youth
What is Spring?
Every day this week, I have chosen a different definition of spring to highlight. Today I quote The Free Dictionary definition #5 of spring as a noun: “a natural outflow of ground water, as forming the source of a stream.”
It seems fitting as I share with you a little tribute to my paternal grandmother Fulgencia Gutierrez Lee, who was a true spring of wisdom, beauty and eternal youth. ‘Lola Gene’ or ‘Lola Lee’, as we fondly called her, passed away a year ago today-April 14th- at the age of 96. She was a very grounded and humble person who always had a ready and ever radiant smile for everyone she met. It was natural to her and it started a stream of joy with the people around her.
It seems fitting as I share with you a little tribute to my paternal grandmother Fulgencia Gutierrez Lee, who was a true spring of wisdom, beauty and eternal youth. ‘Lola Gene’ or ‘Lola Lee’, as we fondly called her, passed away a year ago today-April 14th- at the age of 96. She was a very grounded and humble person who always had a ready and ever radiant smile for everyone she met. It was natural to her and it started a stream of joy with the people around her.
All I need to know I learned from my Lola:
#1-Always smile.(It will make you look younger and lovelier.)
#2-You must be kind and friendly to all.(young or old, man or woman, adult or child, rich or poor, senator or fisherman & so on & so forth)
#3-Find your true passion and dedicate your life to it.(It keeps every day new and exciting.) Lola’s true passion was public service. And even after retirement, she made herself available for anyone who sought her help, insight or sound advice on everything under the sun.(the people of Magallanes, Sorsogon can attest to this. Everybody there called her ‘Mama Pulen’.)
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| Fulgencia Gutierrez Lee A Beloved Mother,Grandmother,Great-grandmother, Friend,Teacher,Public Servant |
#4-Keep your brain sharp.
Memorize a poem you like and recite it as often as you can. Here below was her favourite, and at 96 she could still recite it from memory:
All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful,
The Lord God made them all.
Each little flower that opens,
Each little bird that sings,
He made their glowing colours,
He made their tiny wings.
The rich man in his castle,
The poor man at his gate,
God made them, high or lowly,
And ordered their estate.
The purple-headed mountain,
The river running by,
The sunset, and the morning,
That brightens up the sky;
The cold wind in the winter,
The pleasant summer sun,
The ripe fruits in the garden,
He made them every one.
The tall trees in the greenwood,
The meadows where we play,
The rushes by the water,
We gather every day;–
He gave us eyes to see them,
And lips that we might tell,
How great is God Almighty,
Who has made all things well.
Maker of Heaven and Earth
(All Things Bright and Beautiful)
(All Things Bright and Beautiful)
A Poem by Cecil Frances Alexander
#5- When there’s music- dance; when asked to sing- sing!(It’s a great way to stay young in spirit.)
#6- Have a good stretch before you get out of bed in the morning.
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| Watch this video of Lola doing a demo of her morning stretching routine. |
#7- Always make time for family. Visit as often as you can. And if you can’t, make sure you write or call and say “I Love You”.
Our clan is quite spread out. Photo shows our family reunion in the 70’s wherein we had the most family members present. Since then, Lola made sure that she and Lolo visited as regularly as they could wherever in the world we were.
We love you, Lola! We miss you! But we know you are now happy and in peace, holding hands with Lolo while strolling in the garden of Heaven.
“Believe in God,family,
truth between people,
the power of love.”
DAILY DOSE OF ART 
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