THEY CAME, THE SAW, THEY CONQUERED The family of my eldest son who was based in Sydney, Australia paid us a visit early this month of July, 2012 with his pregnant wife, eldest daughter and two naughty little boys. They all came to visit Lolo and Lola. What a wonderful feeling for me and my wife to see their family that also reunited with the families of my two daughters based here in the Philippines together with their two children each. They saw how my wife and I lived with one gardener and a weekly part time maid. They learned that my wife went to Manila weekly for three days to visit the families of my two daughters and to attend to her business hobby selling varied items of interest. My son’s family weren’t fully happy in their vacation because my daughter-in-law who was four months pregnant had spotting, so, I told her to rest and stay on bed most of the time. My two grandsons were both very quarrelsome as they were experiencing strong sibling rivalry to the point that they fight about anything. My son seemed so tired and burnt out in spite of her understanding and very helpful daughter. During playtime I created several origami figures like airplane, boat, flapping bird, and many others to the delight of the children in spite of their roomful of toys back home. Every time they broke a figure all they needed to do was approach Lolo for a replacement with a new figure. Their parents realized that after all children’s happiness could just be a piece of folded piece of paper done in their presence. One time the two boys won’t agree on how and what to eat. I talked to the elder one saying: “Whenever you are eating anything always share it with your younger brother”. He did what I suggested and began sharing his spoonful of food which the younger one seemingly appreciated so much. So, I told the little one that after swallowing the food that his brother shared with him, he should say “Thank You Kuya”. He too, followed my suggestion. His father hurriedly took his camera to capture the momentous drama of friendship. I bragged to my son: “See what a simple word ‘sharing’ could do when correctly applied. The two boys also shared their toys afterwards by exchanging. We had a chance to go to Tagaytay where the children enjoyed horse-riding. The following day they moved to Manila to attend to their various appointments. I was again left with my echo, my shadow and me. They conquered my heart which they left once again empty… to be filled once again with confusing, troublesome and unavoidable senior limitations while slowly walking through the shadow of the sunset.