Sunday, February 9, 2025

CALL 670 : DANIEL PEARL

Hello Son,

 

So a few days ago, Mom was on the sofa

in our living room.

 

Netflix was on.

 

Mom happened to see this newly added

movie called : 

 

IC814.

 

THE KANDAHAR HIJACK.

 

Another plane movie?

 



  

Mom had watched another plane movie 

just the day before, starring, Gerard Butler.

 

PLANE.

 


 

In that PLANE show, your mother did not 

finish the movie and had stopped the TV halfway 

as it got too violent for her liking.

 

The part where Gerard Butler was first attacked.

 

Never mind why and how and who.

 

She had turned off the TV.

 

So when Mom saw the IC814, another PLANE

movie, she decided to check on the synopsis

first before wasting her time to view.

 

 


 

Mom googled the words :

 

Kandahar Flight

 

and came to this page.

 


 




Mom's eyes scanned through the Wiki

information and suddenly rested on

the name : 

 

DANIEL PEARL

 

 


 

Hmmm. 

 

Daniel?

 

Of course Mom had to click on the link 

and when she did, she came to this page :

 

 



 

Silence.

 

OMG.

 

Cause of death : Decapitation?

 

Nooooooooooo!

 

Mom looked at the date of death :

 

February 1, 2002

 

That's a clear ...

 

very clear ...

 

very, very clear ...

 

Angel date.

 

2   1  2002

 

21  4

 

OMG. Seriously.

 

Mom's first thoughts were :

 

Why do the Daniels in the world

have so much challenges? 

 


 

Your own departure date was :

 

21st January, 2010

 

21  1  2010

 

21  4

 

Daniel Pearl was such a good looking 

man too.

 

Heaven must truly be filled with 

dashing-looking people.

 

This horrific incident happened some 

23 years ago.

 

Still, that did not stop Mom from feeling 

fresh goose bumps and cold chills 

creeping up and down her spine. 


When Dad came through the door,

he had taken the car out for a wash,

Mom couldn't wait to tell Dad about

Daniel Pearl.

 


 

Dad knew of this Daniel Pearl.

 

He apparently remembers this 

horrendous news in that year.

 

So anyway, Mom said a silent prayer

and made a knowing wish that both

good looking Daniels are now watcing

from Heaven and smiling down

on their respective families.


So that night,

 

that same night,

 

it was bed time.

 

Mom would normally turn on a simple 

sit-com or comedy, more often than

not, TWO and a HALF MEN, and watch

for a bit before dozing off.

 

For some unexplained reason, 

that night, 

Mom decided she wanted to 

watch a Hallmark romance movie.

 

She tuned in to the first one, 

at random,

saw the characters who were not too

appealing to her, and  decided to change 

after a minute or so.


The second Hallmark movie was also

not great.

 

The third? 

 

Nahhh.  


Oh well.

 

Let's look for another one.

 

Where are all the good - looking 

people when you want them?

 

Before she knew it, your mother found 

herself keying in the words :

 

The Magic of Ordinary Days

 


Skeet is so so cute and his

character in the movie is

so endearing.

 

You just have to love this guy.

 

Mom had first watched this movie

several years ago and had always

remembered Skeet in it.

 

The last time your mother saw 

this movie was perhaps during the 

COVID lockdown some 5 years ago.

 

So anyway, the movie started.

 

Mom was enjoying the show and

sipping her warm water when

suddenly, she found herself sitting 

up right on the bed.

 

Dad was outside.

 

Mom was in the bedroom, watching

the movie all her own.

 

O

 

M

 

G

 

No way.

 

Seriously???

 



 

Mom quickly re-winded the show back a bit 

and snapped a photo to show Dad.

 

Do you see the subtitles?

 

Daniel got killed at Pearl Harbour.

 

O

 

M

 

G. 

 

You can't be serious.

 

You must be whispering to Mom.

 

No way she would have decided 

to choose this movie had you 

not whispered :

 

The Magic of Ordinary Days, Ma.

 

Daniel 

 

got 

 

killed 

 

at 

 

Pearl 

 

Harbour???

 

PEARL Harbour???

 

Why, only a few hours ago, your mother

was reading about DANIEL PEARL.

 

And now she sees the words across her

TV screen and hears the words spoken

out loud to her ears :

 

Daniel got killed at Pearl Harbour.

 

OMG.

 

Daniel Pearl.

 

You are just so right beside Mom 

all the time, Daniel.

 

ZAP ZAP ZAP!!!

 

As Mom checked the photo taken 

from her camera gallery,  she noticed

the date :  

 

Feb 4.

 


 

FEB 4.

 

2  4

 

4  2

 

21

 

 

Significant?

 

So so is. 


Clearly you had whispered into your

mother's ears that evening.

 

 


 

 

When Dad came into the bedroom, Mom 

couldn't wait to tell him.

 

All her words just rushed out from her mouth.

 

Hahaha.

 

"I told you about Daniel Pearl just now

right?  And now look. Suddenly I'm watching

this movie and hearing these words

Daniel got killed at Pearl Harbour.

What are the chances??? Son is definitely

whispering to me. OMG. Seriously. What are

the chances of me putting on this show 

tonight and hearing those words? 

OMG. It's so random ...."

 

More words spoken.

 

Chuckle.

 

Thanks Son, 

for always making your presence felt.

 

Mom

xoxo

 

p/s going to the mall now to order

Mom's new glasses.





4:41 pm

 

Dad and Mom just returned home from the mall.

 

Mom came straight to the computer to make another call.

 

We were at the mall at 1 pm to make new specs for Mom.

 

When we were done, your parents went to Oriental Kopi for a drink.


Dad had his iced coffee with no sugar ...

 

And Mom had her usual hot milk tea without sugar.

 

After that, we were ready to go back home.

 

As we were leaving the mall, just before going down the escalator, to the parking machine, a guy was playing a flute in a corner, entertaining the mall people. Nobody was around him ... but it was nice to have some music in the environment.


As we were going down the escalator, the flute started playing ...

 

My Heart Will Go On.

 

Omgosh.

 

Mom took out her handphone to check the time, and saw 15:59 turning to 16:00 before her eyes.

 

A smile escaped her lips.

 

You must have seen your mother grin from cheek to cheek.

 

Mom told Dad : My Heart Will Go On ... and the time is 4 pm. My son has definitely received my call (Call 670). 

 

That's for sure.

 

Hugs and kisses, Daniel Phua.

 

xoxo

Mom

 


Near, far ... wherever you are ...

 

You are safe in my heart ...

 

and my heart will go on and on ... 




Tuesday, November 19, 2024

CALL 669 : BRIDAL GOWN

Hello Son,


It's 5:58 am on Monday morning.


Something amazing just happened 

at 5:37 am and Mom wants to call you

and tell you about it immediately.


OMG.


How will she start?


So last Friday, 15/11/2024, Justine took us,

Grandma, Dad and Mom to a bridal shop. 

This would be the very first time she is 

trying on bridal gowns.


How exciting for all of us.


To cut a long story short, we spent about 

2 hours at the shop. Your sister tried on

a few gowns. Mom wanted her to have a

ballgown kind of gown ... you know like 

a puffed up Cinderella gown ... but have 

always known Justine was more into 

mermaid-kind of Ariel style.

 

 

You must have seen your sister tried on the

few mermaid dresses. Mom thought the laces

looked "itchy" ... and difficult for the eyes. 

 

LOL.

 

Choose satin, your mother thought loudly.


Justine did try one satin ballgown.





Grandma approved.

 

Mom was happy.

 

Dad thought it was nice.

 

Your sister was ok about it

but she wasn't like jumping

over the moon about the gown.

 

Anyways ... there wasn't any more dresses 

that WOWed her. The best gown there was that

dome-gown that she tried on with a can-can.

 

Nice for church, Grandma said.

 

Justine didn't confirm the dress.

 

That evening, at home, your sister told Mom

she didn't like that dome gown. "I can't wear 

a can-can ....." she lamented.

 

You must have whispered into your mother's

ears because she found herself not pressing 

on and trying to convince your sister about the

dome gown.

 

Okay, okay ... let's just continue searching ... 


 

So the next day ... Saturday ...

16/11/2024 ... Justine was also off work. She had

made an appointment with a second bridal studio

in town.


There were 2 available slots for the appointment.

One at 2.30 pm and the other at 4.30 pm. 

 

It was almost noon time. 2.30 pm slot would be too

rush. So your sister confirmed the 4.30 pm slot.

 

Meanwhile, we went to the mall at Bukit Jalil

Pavilion.

 

We had our lunch at BBQ TOWN.

 

All You Can Eat.

 

 

 

 

(continue call on Tuesday @ 8.08 pm)

 

 

We enjoyed our lunch very much.

 

So anyway, we left the mall at 4 pm. 


We arrived promptly at the bridal studio

at the allocated time.


It wasn't a big studio.


Mom and Dad took a seat on the sofa

whilst Justine browsed through the array of

bridal dresses and wedding gowns.

 

The shop manager said Justine could

choose 5 gowns to try ... for FREE.

 

Hah!

 

Five? That's quite good.

 

So Justine slowly picked out 5 pieces.

 

 


She tried on Dress #1.


Wow!


Nice.


Satin smooth.


Plain. 


Simple.

 

Good.

 

 

 

 

Next. 

 

Dress #2.

 

(Suck in your breath, please ....)

 

Wow! Wow!

 

Better than dress #1.

 

Very nice.

 

 

 

Dress #3.

 

Hmmm.

 

It's nice ... but the hip part didn't

fit well.

 

Nope. 

 

#3 is out.

 

 

 

Next came Dress #4.

 

Ooooooohhhh.

 

Wahhhhhh!!!

 

Italian made.

 

French lace.

 

European veil.

 

Hugs her body snugly.

 

Gosh. The dress is amazing.

 

Dress #4 is way better than Dress #2.

 

Have we found a winner?

 

Wait. 


Let's not jump the gun.

 

Let's check out Dress #5 first.


 

 

Ahh. Dress #5 is nice too on its own

but it could not compare to Dress #4.

 

And the winner is :

 

DRESS NUMBER 4!!!

 

 

 

 

Justine was so happy.


Mom and Dad too.


We have found THE dress.


Mom said, "It had to be 

Dress Number 4. Hahaha."


Thanks, Son.


You must have led your sister to this shop.


Justine couldn't believe it either. That she 

found the dress she wanted quite easily, 

and before Dad and Mom's trip to the States

next Monday.

 

We left the shop.

 

All elated.

 

In the car, Dad was driving us to church.

 

We were attending the (Saturday's) evening 

Mass.

 

Mom found herself saying, "Today is 

November 16 ..."

 

Your mother did a quick mental calculation.

 

Ahhh, ZAP ZAP!!!

 

Mom knew it.

 

It had to be your doing. 

 

But of course.

 

It was all too easy and too smooth.

 

Dress #4???

 

Not a coincidence.

 

16 - 11 - 2024

 

7  2  8

 

17

 

8

 

Decode : 44

 

Mom said, "Daniel was clearly with 

us today. He brought you to that shop, Jus ..."


Your sister grinned happily.



We arrived at the church.


Mass had started.


Mom was thinking of just sitting outside 

the church, since we were late ... but Dad

was walking in front of us, and he walked 

into the church.


Oh well ....


Just as Mom and Justine entered the church,

the reader mentioned your name ...


OMG ...


What were the chances???


Mom threw a quick glace at Justine, 

who was walking a few steps behind. 

 

Your sister heard it too.


How could we not???


The whole congregation heard the reader say,

" .... the book of DANIEL ..."


just as Mom and Justine stepped into the church.


O


M


G


Seriously.


Had we arrived 10 seconds later, 

we would have missed that!


Mom had the biggest smile on her face.


 

When we were seated, Mom whispered

to Dad.

 

"Did you hear that?"


Dad showed a blank look.


Mom's was in disbelief. 


"You didn't hear the reader say DANIEL?"

your mother muttered under her breath.


Almost in irritation.


Dad shook his head.

 

What!

 

At that precise moment, you would have 

seen your mother rolling her eyes upward.


Oh, never mind.


It's the church's mass reading.


Mom would find the DANIEL passage and 

show it to Dad later.


It wasn't a secret.

 

 

 

Why, Catholic churches the whole world over, 

including in Rome, and ... and ... Vatican City ...

yes, yes, where the Pope is, would have mentioned / heard 

your name that day.

 

DANIEL ...

 

Unbelievable.

 

Mom was so lost in her own thoughts.

 

How do you do it, Daniel?

 

You just know how to make your presence felt.

 

Smile.

 

Happiness is receiving her daily ZAP from 

her son all the way from Heaven.

 

Soon, it was communion time.

 

Dad, Mom and Justine got up and followed 

the line to the altar to receive the Body of Christ. 

 

Walking back to our seats, we knelt down in prayer.

 

Justine whispered to Mom, "Look ..."

 

Mom turned to look at what your sister was pointing at.

 

 

 

 

This guy was kneeling in front of us.

 

Mom saw.

 

Gasp.

 

OMG.

 

ZAP ZAP ZAP!!!

 

 

 

 

Your initials - right in front of our faces.


Daniel Phua.


DP.


Hahahahaha.

 

Nice one, Son.


That was awesome.


Hehehe.

 

Very clever. 

 

Woah ...

 

What a day we had that day.


Seriously .


From Dress #4 ...

 

To 16 - 11 - 2024 ...

 

To the book of DANIEL  ...

 

To DP ... 

 

Mom told herself that the next day (Sunday),

she would most definitely find some time to 

call you.




Sunday came and went by quickly.


On Monday morning, at 5:58 am ...


Mom came to your call blog.


Something incredible had just happened

a few minutes before that.


Your mother was up by 5 am, and was scrolling

her google to find the passage of the DANIEL

reading on Saturday 16th.


She couldn't find the DANIEL passage at first.


You must have whispered to her to look for 

Sunday 17th. 

 

Same reading.


Scroll.


Scroll.


Scroll.


Ahhh.


Found it!





 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then came the amazing ZAP!


Just as Mom swiped her screen to save 

that DANIEL page ... 


screenshot     



Yup, right - at - that - very - second ...

 

a notification sound came on.


A video had been posted.


Apparently by Grandma.

 

Mom clicked on it.






Your mother let out a gasp of utter disbelief.

 

OMG.

 

What!

 

Seriously???

 

My - Heart - Will - Go - On???

 

Mom quickly checked the time 

of her screenshot of the DANIEL page :


Time : 05:37

 

 

screenshot     

 

 

 

 Now take a look at the time this video was sent in.

 

 

 

 

Time : 05:37


Simultaneously.


At the same time.


OMG.


The voice of a little 3 year old angel filled our 

living room that Monday morning (yesterday).



Every night in my dreams

I see you

I feel you

That is how I know you go on

Near, far, wherever you are

I believe that the heart does go on

Once more, you open the door

And you're here in my heart and

My heart will go on and on



0537


Decode : 

 

0537

 

15

 

4

 

ZAP ZAP ZAP !!!

 

And that is how Mom knows you go on ...

 

 

 


Once more, you open the door

And you're safe in my heart and

My heart will go on and on ...

 

Keep the ZAPS coming, Daniel.


Thanks for helping Justine choose the perfect dress!


Hugs and kisses,


Mom

xoxo