Hello Son,
It's Saturday afternoon at 12:38 pm.
Hillsong Praise music is in the background.
When was the last time Mom even played hymns in the house?
Too long ... can't remember at all.
You would know what today's call is gonna be about.
Mama's move to Heaven ...
Dad's mother passed peacefully on Sunday, June 11.
June 11
6 11
8
44
It would be on an ANGEL number ...
when JESUS takes you.
No matter how you look at it.
June 11, 2023
6 11 2023
15
4
You were so with us, throughout the week.
Thank you, Son.
Mom received all your messages.
On Sunday morning, on June 11,
Dad and Mom attended morning mass in St Francis Xavier.
Justine was at work.
After mass, Mom sent a text to Justine :
Dad's father's day starts now.
taking dad for lunch at gardens.
(10:14 am)
We went to ROCKU, Japanese Charcoal Grill, at Gardens Mall.
We were there around 11:15 am.
Mom told Dad, that this year, Father's Day is gonna be different.
Mom would cook dinner every evening from
Monday (12th) till Friday (16th),
and have a nice celebration on Saturday for Father's Day.
Hahaha. (As you know, Dad is normally the one who prepares
dinner.)
Not only that, but this year, Mom will ask Justine to
order some flowers for Dad. It will be a surprise for sure.
Dad would always present Mom a bouquet of flowers
for Valentine's and on Mom's birthday. Mom has never
sent flowers to Dad in the 31 years of marriage.
So that was the plan.
Little did Mom know that GOD would
have a Plan B for her.
Dad was busy grilling.
At one point, Mom sent a text to your sister and said,
"Shall we do rocku for Sat (father's day)?
With aunty D and family and amah (grandma)?"
(12:44 pm)
No reply from Justine.
Mom went ahead to make reservations for 8 pax for Saturday 17th.
Your sister replied an hour later and said, "can can."
Meanwhile, that Sunday morning, Aunty J from the USA,
sent the family a message to say that she was thinking
about adopting a kitten. She said it was difficult to choose
because the kittens were all siblings.
Mom had replied, "If you can't decide, take both."
(1:13 pm)
To which Aunty J responded, "Haha.
What am I getting myself into?"
(1:52 pm)
Meanwhile, Dad and Mom, after lunch,
were strolling around the mall.
We were at MetroJaya at one point.
Children's department.
Mom caught sight of this pink bag.
A broad smile appeared on her face.
Mom snapped a photo and sent it to the family chat,
followed by 3 laughing emojis.
(14:25pm)
Just before leaving the department, Mom passed
a child's dinner plate to Dad. She had caught sight
of this plate earlier on one of the shelves,
which was totally random ...
because this plate was just on its own ...
it was the 4 letter word that zapped Mom.
Mom told Dad, "I can't find the whole set (as in bowl, cup, cutleries) ..."
Dad said, "Are you sure you want this?"
Is - Mom - sure - she - wants - that - FREE - plate?
Dad took it to the cashier.
After the purchase, we went home.
By evening time (this is still Sunday 11th),
Dad received a message from Aunty H in Kuantan,
informing that Mama was not feeling well.
Aunty H had sent her to the hospital and Mama
was apparently admitted. It was around 4 pm thereabouts.
By 7:45 pm, Aunty H sent a text to say that Mama
had passed away.
Mom sent a text to our family to inform :
"Bryan's mom just passed away a few minutes ago.
He is going back to kuantan tomorrow morning.
May her beautiful soul rests in peace."
Mom asked Justine to share some photos of Mama
in our family chat.
 |
| Our last photo with Mama during CNY in Jan 2023. |
 |
| Mama at your sister's graduation. |
 |
| Dad with Mama at her hospital appointment in March. |
On Monday June 12, Dad took a flight to Kuantan.
Dad took a cab to the airport.
Mom went to school.
Dad sent the above snapshot at 6:23 am.
At the boarding hall, awaiting his flight.
Mom looked at the flight details.
Flight No : OD 1822
OD 13
Only Daniel 4
You were clearly by Dad's side,
that's for sure.
Next, Mom's eyes darted below and saw the
Seat : 11C
11C ...
Why, that's surely Mama with Christ.
11th being her date of departure.
Boarding Time : 06:30
That's a clear 21.
Than you, Son, for letting Mom know
that you were gonna be with Dad
during this difficult time.
.jpg)
So anyway ...
Dad sent a text at 8:01 am to say that
he has arrived in Kuantan.
He was on his way to the hospital.
Mama was in the mortuary.
At the hospital, Dad sent Mom this snapshot:
Dad said, "Waiting for burial certificate."
O.M.G.
Seriously???
2001???
21
ZAP ZAP ZAP!!!
 |
| Dad said, "Funeral on Thursday 10am." |
 |
| Mama's awards by the Pahang Sultan. |
Meanwhile, Mom asked Justine to arrange for flowers
to be sent to the funeral parlour. Just when Mom had
asked your sister that Sunday morning, to arrange to
send flowers to Dad for Father's Day ... by Sunday
night fall, the flowers are going to a funeral.
Your mother thought to herself ...
Tragic ...
Yup, tragic - comes to mind.
In your parents' 31 years' of marriage,
Mom has never bought Dad flowers. Lol.
The first time she did, the flowers are going
straight to a funeral.
Tragic.
Fine.
Alright.
Message received.
Not necessary to get flowers for Dad.
Leave the flowers for Dad to get.
Always.
On Tuesday 13th, Dad sent a text at 14.24 pm,
"Your flowers ... the most beautiful one."
Awww.
Our message to Mama :
We will always have sweet memories
of beautiful Mama.
May Mama's soul rests in peace.
Oh, by the way, did Mom mention that
she wasn't able to cry ... like at all.
From the time she found out about Mama's
passing, not a single tear did your mother
shed.
In fact, on Monday morning, before Dad left
for the airport, Mom had to tell your father,
"Please don't judge me. I have no tears now.
Even when my son left, I didn't cry. The tears
will come later ..."
Dad said, he wasn't even thinking about that
at all.
So moving on ... by Wednesday 14th ...
Mom had to inform the kindergarten parents
that we would need to close the school on
Thursday14th so she could go to Kuantan
to attend the funeral.
Her note to parents read :
Dear Parents,
We write to inform with much sadness
that Bryan's mother passed away on
Sunday night. Her funeral is on Thursday
tomorrow in Kuantan. Teacher Eliz is
unable to be in school as her husband is
still in critical condition. Only Teacher
Ann will be in school. We would like
to close the school on Thursday (if possible)
but will keep the option open in case
there are any parents who are unable to
find alternative arrangement on such
short notice. Teacher Ann will be ok to
have 3 to 4 children on her own in school.
Kindly let us have your reply and advise us
if you need to send your child to school
on Thursday. Once again, we apologize
for the inconvenience caused.
Teacher Lynn
There.
Sent.
By 8:30 am Wed morning, the urgent note
had been sent to all our school parents.
Within half an hour or so, Mom learned that
there will be 3 kids who need to attend school
on Thursday. Mom was grateful for our
parents' understanding on the matter.
By end of the day, Dad sent a text at 8:01 pm
to say that the flowers from our family had
arrived for Mama.
Aunty J from USA had made all the
arrangement for delivery.
 |
| A breathtaking bouquet. |
 |
| 2 tiers. |
 |
| Heart-warming message from the family. |
Justine, Amah and Mom left for Kuantan
by car on Wed evening. We couldn't get a flight.
It was a 3 hour drive anyway.
We should arrive about 11pm.
We arrive in Kuantan at about 11:20 pm.
We went straight to the funeral parlour.
Dad was really happy to see us.
Dad brought Mom to see our flowers ...
and then to Mama.
Mama looked very peaceful in her - spaceship.
Mom was calm and composed.
No tears.
Not a drop.
This is not to brag. The fact that she
could.
not.
cry.
is instrumental to the story hereafter.
It was after midnight when we left Mama and
drove to a serviced apartment nearby that Dad
had booked for us for the night.
We went to bed after taking turns to take
shower in the one bathroom apartment.
We were all exhausted.
The next morning ... Thursday 15th ...
Mom happened to be at the sink when she
suddenly noticed this ...
OMG.
What???
Flower Garden???
Of all the kazillion words that could have
been on that wall, it was a word that connects
CLEARLY to you.
OMG.
Unbelievable.
Your Flower Garden 21 blog.
Last entry was in 2016.
Mom couldn't wait to tell Dad and Justine.
And Amah too, who knows about this word
"Flower Garden."
Mom has never called your resting place
a c*metery or a gr*veyard. Those words
creep her out and send her cold chills.
These words should not have been created,
is what your mother thinks.
From the start, your mother has always
referred to your place as Daniel's
Flower Garden.
.jpg)
What are the chances of seeing this
flower garden word in the apartment
that we were staying for the night?
OMG.
No chance.
Angel chance.
A coinciDANS for sure.
ZAP ZAP ZAP!!!
Truly Daniel son, truly you were with your
family. You always are.
At all times.
There is not doubt.
It's just so amazing that you are able to
let us know your presence with us.
You have never failed to do that.
Everyday ... there is some kind of ZAP to
remind Mom that you are right beside her.
Thanks Son.
Please tell Jesus and Mother Mary that Mom
continues to be grateful that you are allowed
to have this special connection with your family
still.
Gosh, if only we could whatsapp.
Would that be asking GOD too much?
Anyway, ASK and it shall be GIVEN.
Right?
Well, Mom has asked.
Maybe someday ... you will find a way.
That Thursday morning ...
Dad left the apartment about 8:30 am.
He would come back to pick us up around 10am.
The funeral would be at 1 pm.
So meanwhile, Justine, Amah and Mom got ready.
We packed all our bags and went down to the
apartment coffee house for a buffet breakfast.
Not that we wanted to have a buffet. The cafe
only serve buffet breakfast in the morning.
Anyway, senior citizens are entitled to half price
at RM20. LOL.
 |
| Amah likes the decor outside ... |
 |
| the coffee house. |
The toasted croissants with the butter and
strawberry jam were simply delicious.
Mom had 3 croissants.
Oh boy.
Don't remind her about the calories.
This is Mama's resting place.
Her ashes will be scattered
on Saturday in the sea
and a memorial built for her
(beside Dad's father)
at this memorial park.
Up to the cremation time,
Mom still had no tears.
Not. One. Drop.
After the cremation which ended about 3 pm,
Dad asked us to start our journey back.
We drove home.
Justine, Amah and Mom.
It was a smooth drive.
We only got lost when we reach
Kuala Lumpur.
The initial drive was ok.
200 km straight road.
Highway.
Once we reached KL,
the Waze said turn here,
Justine said turn there,
and Amah was like -
turn here and there.
Mom was driving.
Obviously, we got lost ...
with directions like that.
To cut a long story short,
we arrived back just before 7 pm
in the evening.
(continue on Call 653)
