Lola’s crochet hook and the life she has spun

Photo of Joseph and his Lola, Josefina Pasco, taken in Laurel, Maryland in 2015 when Joseph was 10 years old. The crocheted throw blanket behind them was made by his Lola, who celebrated her 89th birthday on April 3. CONTRIBUTED 

LAUREL, Maryland — It was a crooked hook, bent through 77 years of use, finishing hundreds of crocheted table cloths, coffee table covers, piano lapels. My Lola and her stainless-steel iron crochet hook have been to America four times in 13 years that I have been alive. The hook took the shape of her right hand, and at times, I believe it had a life of its own. One time my Mom told me that while Lola was crocheting and watching TV, she fell asleep, but the crocheting continued and spun incredible stitches for a bit before the spell ended.

Lola was 12 when she learned the crochet craft in the midst of the Japanese occupation in the town of San Fernando, Pampanga. She kept the hook like a treasure, along with a toy soldier in parachute gifted by a kind Japanese soldier, in a wicker basket she brought along everywhere she went.

My Lola Suping’s hands do wonders also at the piano and in the kitchen. When we were on vacation in Angeles City, we would be serenaded by her beautiful rendition of “When Irish Eyes are Smiling” or “Somewhere in Time,” with the unforgettable sound of her piano reminiscent of cowboy saloons. When she was with us in Laurel, Maryland, she cooked delicious chicken adobo and bistig Kapampangan no one can beat.

A three-year-old Joseph with his Lola. CONTRIBUTED

She was the youngest of seven Mendoza siblings whose names were in alphabetical order. The Mendozas, who lived by the railroad, helped sell merienda of boiled bananas and water to the Japanese to augment the family income. This was how my Lola learned to speak Japanese fluently. Lola’s Mom, Lola Maria, and older sisters also served the best fried chicken in town.  Lola Maria was quite enterprising. She took in out-of-town workers for room and board. Among her boarders were judges and a dashing engineer by the name of Abelardo, my Lola’s future husband, my beloved Lolo, a World War II hero, and my namesake.

Lola’s dad, Lolo Julian, was the town sheriff. A Spanish mestizo, he stood tall and handsome in khaki uniform and boots. He was looked up to and known as the strict judge who was also kind and compassionate. My Lola recalled that one time, a circus came to town. After failing to pay their dues, the circus officials left behind the crew and animals for a few days to look for money. Lola and her siblings took delight in feeding the elephants with dried rice straws and meeting clowns and acrobats behind the scenes.

Lola is a beloved retired home economics supervisor. When she was still teaching, she introduced “Skill-o-Rama,” a contest for future homemakers on cooking, sewing, flower arranging. Now long retired, she would still be recognized in a crowd at the town market’s fruit stands and dry goods stores by her former pupils. They are always grateful for the many skills she taught them in sixth grade.

Lola credits her first-grade teacher, Mrs. Jimenez, the mother of my Mom’s pediatrician, for her love of learning. At first, Lola had a rough start going to school. She fondly recollected that her two older sisters, Lola Ester and Lola Floring, would walk her to school. Reluctantly, my Lola would find ways to bail herself out by clinging to bamboo scaffoldings. When her two sisters freed Lola’s arms from the scaffolds, her legs would wrap around the bamboo shafts.

Luckily, my Lola’s first grade teacher had a clever idea. She assigned my Lola the task of getting the teacher’s merienda of fresh carabao’s milk at her home beside the school. Feeling very important, my Lola started to like going to school, and the rest is history.

My Lola will turn 89 this April. To honor her, I wrote this tribute as part of Women’s History Month. Not only did she enrich the lives of Filipino women she taught with homemaking skills, she continues to inspire me, my family, and everyone she meets. Mabuhay po kayo, my dear Lola!

Joseph is a 13-year-old 8th-grader at St. Joseph Regional Catholic School in Laurel, MD.