Remembering “Lola Walis” (Broomstick Grandma), Where is She Now?

This morning, I looked for our broomstick because I will sweep some paper scraps at the garage floor. Then I suddenly remembered “Lola Walis,” or Grandma Broomstick.

I called her with such a name because I failed to ask her real name. She was about 80 years old or about 90, but she still walks so far along the road peddling her broomstick. She is about four feet tall, and of very light built, but she looked strong in spite of her age.

A broomstick is made of coconut midrib tied together to form a broom for cleaning. Each coconut frond or leaflet is scraped and the remaining midrib is tied together when they are about two inches thick, and strong enough to sweep the floor or yard. It is usually used in the Philippines to sweep leaves, and other garbage on the ground or pavements. It is also used for cleaning concrete floor with water, in place of a brush.

She Sells Broomstick Everyday

I met “Lola Walis” some years ago in a nearby town when I had a small business there. One day, she approached me and told me to buy a broomstick from her. She said she sells it for Php20 per piece.

She said she is just helping her family earn a living though she is very old. But she can walk so many kilometers of the road to sell the broomstick. I asked if her children allowed her to still work for the family, but she just smiled. I did not know if she had the permission of her children or if she was just doing it on her own will.

But compared to other old people, “Lola Walis” is very strong to walk everyday even when it rains or when the sun is shining so hot in summer. Maybe she will become weak when she stop walking everyday.

Met “Lola Walis” in Our City

One time, I met “Lola Walis” in our city. I asked her why she was there, and she replied that she gets some of her broomstick from a supplier in our city. Sometimes she and her grandchildren were the ones making the broomsticks.

Again, she requested me to buy her broomstick, but I said I still have the one I bought from her. She looked hungry and thirsty, so I just handed her the Php20 but I did not get the broomstick. She smiled so sweetly and thanked me.

From that time, I did not see her anymore. Could she be sick, or she finally retired from selling broomstick?

Note: The photo of an old woman from Myanmar from Pixabay free images by jpeter2)

I used the photo because she resembled “Lola Walis.”