Welcoming Kellen Jr. to the world

Florami (second from left) poses with the family

by Susan Palmes-Dennis

The birth of a grandchild is not only a cause for joy but also a reminder of one's expanding roots, as Florami Lao Cordero-Lee told me last week.

She became the proud grandmother to Kellen Martin, whom she said had connected her to her ancestors and her husband's family tree.

“I am just a proud grandma,” Florami told me after the birth of her first grandbaby four months ago. The good looking grandma who can be mistaken as the boy's mother said it again during Kellen's dedication over the weekend.  

Florami, past president of the Filipino-American community in the Carolinas (FACC), is always available to baby sit Kellen Martin-Lee despite a hectic schedule in between family, work and social commitments.

Kellen Martin is four months old and was dedicated before the Reverend Pastor Chris Justice at Lee Park Church in Monroe. Pastor Chris Justice used to be a TV sport caster on channel 36.

The baby took the name of his dad Kellen Lee making him a junior. The name was decided by proud parents Kellen and Lindsey.  Grandma Florami confided that it feels like their home is flooded with love whenever the baby's around.

“ I look into Kellen’s eyes and see the blue gray eyes of his mom Lindsey,” she said. 

Florami also said she sees her husband Wyatt's hands in Kellen's tiny hands. 
Through Kellen Jr. Florami sees her son in his eyes. 

“ I felt a renewed bond with him and his parents and the family. And we are all connected. I am so happy for them,” Florami said.

A reception followed at the Field Stone Farm Clubhouse at 5005 Houndscroft Td. Indian Trail, 28079 where a mix of Filipino delicacies and American food were served to the guests.

Of course Lola Florami cooked the Filipino food while the American dishes were prepared by the couple's American grandmother.

(Susan Palmes-Dennis is a veteran journalist from Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao in the Philippines who worked as a nanny and is now employed as a sub-teacher and a part-time teacher assistant in one of the school systems in the Carolinas.

Read her blogs on susanpalmesstraightfrom the Carolinas.com and at http://www.blogher.com/myprofile/spdennis54. These and other articles also appear at http://www.sunstar.com.ph/author/2582/susan-palmes-dennis.
You can also connect with her through her email susanap.dennis@yahoo.com as well as her Pinterest account at http://www.pinterest.com/pin/41025046580074350/) and https://www.facebook.com/pages/Straight-from-the-Carolinas-/494156950678063)