Sunday, June 18, 2023

CALL 653 : LIVING HOPE

  (continue from Call 652)



Hello Son, 


It's Sunday. 

 

Dad is coming home today.


He should be arriving around 10am - 1030am.


So yesterday, on Saturday, Mom called you on Call 652.


Mom had mentioned that Praise & Worship songs 

were in the background as your mother was talking 

to you.


It started with the first song ...


In Moments Like These ...


Justine at one point, also sang along as she

was getting ready for work.

 

It all started because Dad told Mom that

Dad, his two brothers and a handful of relatives

are taking the boat out to sea to scatter

Mama's ashes. (7:18am)


Mom suggested, " Find youtube video

song in moments like these ... and let it play

in the background ..." (7:23am)


Mom also sent the following texts 

to Dad with attached photos

taken in school :


hot air balloon crafts

 

"Jesus will raise Mama up up up

on the third day ...

that means on Tuesday,

your mom is already beside 

Jesus and Mary in heaven

that's why Son sent the 

flower garden sign ..."

 

(8:15 am)


Mom had planned for the kindy kids

to do hot air balloons

for Father's Day craft.

She had bought all the required materials

and crafts stuff on Sunday 11th morning

at the mall before 

Dad and Mom went for lunch.



Mom continued,

"I mean ... what are the chances 

of us doing hot air balloon for craft 

this week and the words up up up ... 

UP was also the last movie 

I saw with Daniel ..."


(8:17am)





Christian songs and hymns continue in the

background.

 

Mom was at the computer, her back facing the

TV screen.

 

At one point, Mom happened to turn to the screen

and caught sight of this girl singing an unknown 

hymn to your mother.

 

You must have whispered to your mother :

 

Turn to the TV screen, Ma ...

Listen to the song ...

 

because Mom found herself drawn to the singer ...

 

The singer was very charismatic, to say 

the least ...

 

Mom couldn't take her eyes off the singing girl,

and off the lyrics that were appearing line by line

before the screen, as if for your mother's eyes only. 


The hymn was speaking to your mother.


She could feel it.


Mom moved to the sofa, so she could watch the 

video properly.


As Mom followed the lyrics, she soon found 

herself slowly breaking down. Tears started

to pour and began to flow freely down her cheeks.





Then came the morning

That sealed the promise

Your buried body

Began to breathe

Out of the silence

The roaring lions

Declared the grave

has no claim on me.

 

Hallelujah

Praise the one who set me free 

Hallelujah

Death has lost its grip on me

You have broken every chain

There's salvation in your name

Jesus Christ, my living hope

 

 

Mom was bawling her eyes out.

It was all too overwhelming.

The words of the hymn ...

 

OMG ...

 

The assurance that JESUS has Mama's back

and that Mama is save and alive in CHRIST, 

was all too powerful.

 

Your mother couldn't help but lost all control

and wept hard.

 

In between her sobs, she sent the following

texts to Dad.


"I told you I couldn't cry ... but this song 

has broken me down ..." (10:12 am)

 

"My tears are flowing like the river ... 

Yup, as big as your waves ..." (10:20)

(waves ... because Dad was at sea right

at that moment).

 


 "And I had to get this (above plate) 

last Sunday ...

even though I couldn't find a set ..."


(10:25 am)




 

Meanwhile, Dad sent the following photos.


Mama's resting view ... Hyatt Hotel.

(10:13 am)



Ah Fook (Dad's cousin) is driving the boat.

(10:24 am)




 

Aunty H (one of the relatives on the boat) 

sent the above photos in Dad's family chat.

 

At the point of writing this paragraph, 

Mom just noticed the time of 10:20 am.


The photos showed Dad and his 2nd brother

were scattering Mama's ashes into the ocean.


OMG.


At 10:20 am.


At that same time, 10:20 am,

Mom was crying her eyes out at home.




Picture scenario.


That Living Hope hymn was being played and

replayed over and over again at home ...


Mom was crying like there is no tomorrow ...


And Dad was sending Mama off to sea ...


Both photos of Dad at sea and Mom at home

happened to show the time at 10:20 am.


What are the chances?


That's such a clear 21.


ZAP ZAP ZAP!!!


Mama is right by your side.


That's what you are trying to say.


Mama is ALIVE in JESUS.


At the time when Dad was scattering Mama's

ashes, the words of LIVING HOPE were 

pounding on to your mother's head, 

body, mind and soul.



Praise the one who set me free

Death has lost its grip on me

You have broken every chain

There's salvation in your name

Jesus Christ, my living hope





LIVING HOPE

(YouTube Video)



Mom uploaded the first image 

she found in the google search.

Take a look at the lyrics :


"Praise the one who set me FREE ..."


ZAP ZAP ZAP!!!


Praise JESUS!!!!


Thank you JESUS for dying on the cross for me.

Death has lost its grip on me.

The grave too, has no claim on me. 

Jesus has broken all my chains.

There is salvation in HIS name.

 

JESUS CHRIST, MY LIVING HOPE.






Daniel, it was totally awesome

how you communicated this song to Mom.

It made all the difference.

 


CALL 652 : FLOWER GARDEN

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.





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.

 


 

 Flower Garden 21

 

 

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.



 

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)