Call 101 : MISSING YOU

Hello Son,

Today is Christmas Day. :D

We went to Church this morning. The mass was at 11:30am but we arrived, ah ... fashionably late. We left the house the normal time, 15 minutes before, but today, there was a massive jam on the road.

We ended up sitting outside the Church. 

On the right side.

The Church was packed today. Inside full, outside, left and right wing all full. There must be more than a thousand people that morning. 

Let's see ... 

Inside the Church, there are 4 rows of 50 bench-pews.

50 bench-pews X 4 rows = 200 pews

One pew can accommodate about 6 - 8 people.

Which means, inside the Church alone, there were about 1200 to 1600 people already. Not counting people outside.

Did You see the crowd? 

We must have been like a DOT to You from up there.

We were seated outside in a row.

From left : 

Aunty Diana, Aunty Carol, Justine, Mom and Dad.

(Grandma attended an earlier mass - none of us could get up then. :D)

The Priest was saying the homily ...

Mom was wondering what would be the message for us today. 

Shortly after, Dad whispered, 

"You heard what the Father said?"

Guiltily, Mom shook her head. 

No, she must confess she didn't hear.

She wasn't listening.

Must be some kind of attention deficit disorder that she's only realising now. This is definitely not the first time her attention had strayed. She did try to listen attentively, but after the first two lines, the words became a blur ...

A definite disorder of some kind. 

Beyond her control. Not her fault.

"Why, what did he say?" Mom whispered back.

Dad replied, 

"WE ARE MADE FOR GOD, AND WE WILL RETURN TO GOD."

That's a nice message for today, Mom thought. 

You must have whispered to Dad to summarize Father's message for today.

We are made for God, and we will return to God.

Hmmm ... somehow that felt somewhat comforting ...

You are made for God, and You have returned to Him. 

Having said that, Mom cannot help but wish You could have delayed your - flight, You know ...

We miss You so very much. :(

Your mother's thoughts were interrupted during Collection time. Her antennae had picked up a signal which caused her eyes to scan through the people in front. She spotted a man whom she recognized instantly. He was doing Collection on our side.

Zzzza--PPPP !!!

This man, on a few occasions, had commented to your parents that : 

"Your son is a handsome boy ..."

"Very handsome, your son ..."

"He'll grow up to be a handsome boy ..." 

You were in preschool then. Your parents could never forget this stranger even if they tried. Dad remembers him too. 

We had attended another church when You were 7, and You had served there as an Altar Boy until Jesus called You home on Jan 21, 2010, at the age of 15. 

So, we have not seen this man since, and neither has he seen us. Even if he were to see your handsome face in the papers, I - Made - It - To - Heaven page, he probably would not have any flashback, or make any connection. It was after all, some 8 to 10 years ago.

Memories flooded back ...

There was a dull, nagging ache in your mother's chest. God planted this man somewhere earlier on in our lives, so that a connection could be felt later on. She's sure of that. There's always a reason for everything.

Yes, everything ...

Like now ...

Boy, does your mother feel THE BOND right at that moment. 

Isn't it funny that he should be the one doing Collection on our side of the Church, that your parents have to see him, and instantly think of You? We could have been sitting anywhere. Had there been no jam this morning, we would have been early, and we would be seated in the Church. We would not have seen him then. There would have been no ZAP.

Pause. 

No ZAP on Christmas Day??? 

Seriously???

You gotta be kiddin'. 

Of course, there'd be a ZAP on Christmas Day. :D

Anyway ...

There was no eye contact, as a result of commendable efforts by your mother, when he offered the Collection bag at our row. Hence, no acknowledgment. 

Chicken ... 

You must have laughed, when You saw your mother avoiding his eyes. 

She has to ... had to ... what if he recognized her and later ask, 

Hi, where's your handsome son???

Oh Lord ... Not today. 

She didn't feel like she was up to giving any explanation today. The WHY and the WHAT HAPPENED would surely follow right after her explanation that You had uh, migrated, to live with Jesus and Mama Mary etc.

A recent example is, our old neighbour from the previous condo we used to live in. Mom bumped into him one day at the shops, and he had asked in greeting, 

"How's Bryan? How's your girl? And Your son? He must be very tall by now ..." he lifted his arm right up to indicate how tall.

Mom had smiled, but offered no explanation. 

Instead, she had replied with a robotic smile, 

"They are okay ..."

Which You guys are, she felt.

It sure wasn't a lie. 

Your mother just refrained from telling the truth. There is a fine line between the two. God will understand. He knows she would say that line, even before she said it. Why, God knows her better than she knows herself ...

During Communion, the man was standing right in front, about 5 rows of chairs away from us. He was standing beside the person who was giving out the communion hosts. We had to walk up to him, following the queue to the front ...

Eyes downcast, head bowed ...

Chicken, Mom ...

Your mother could almost hear You say. 

Mass ended.

We were in the car heading towards home. Half way home, Mom turned on the radio. A song was coming to an end, and the next song that came on was, would You believe it : 

I'll Be Missing You.

Gee, what a conciDANS. :D

I'll be missing You ...

OMG ...

It could have been any song that could have been totally unconnected ... but no, it had to be a song that would cause ZAP ZAP ZAP to happen in the car. :D 


The time was 1:20pm.

I'LL BE MISSING YOU

by Puff Daddy

Every step I take

Every move I make

Every single day

Every time I pray

I'll be missing You

Thinking of the day

When You went away

What a life to take

What a bond to break

I'll be missing You

(continue on Call 102)

Call 26 : LOVE FLOWS

Hello Son, 

The internet connection today is a bit cranky. Just finally managed to post today's entry on the Dinner Blog. Took almost 20 minutes to upload ONE photo. :S Can You imagine?

Oh that aside, really must tell You about yesterday. Something pretty amazing happened. After posting your Call 25 in the morning, Mom went to school. Dad dropped her. She was in the car for hardly 5 minutes, (3 minutes the most, You know how near our condo is to the school), when her attention was turned to the song that was on the radio at that moment.

It was a honky-tonk dinasour song. The beat is catchy and listening to it, she caught the word, "It's the season..." and "There's a reason..." 

She keyed those words into her mobile. Told herself that she would check on the song, and ONLY if there's a strong sign, like a really REALLY strong sign, that she should post this song, she would. 

Having posted several music videos the past 2 days, along with all those song-messages that she received, she didn't think there would be a message in this one. Why, she was only in the car for a few minutes. There can't be a message in EVERY song, she hears, right?

Right, Son???

So anyway, later in the afternoon, at the computer, Mom remembered the song. Made a check on google, typed the words : lyrics there's a season. Note, even the key words were incorrectly typed.

A list of websites came on. Somewhere in the middle of the screen, she read the words : 

LET YOUR LOVE FLOW - LORETTA LYNN.

Say what??? Loretta LYNN???

Mom's name??? She was quite stunned when she discovered later that, THAT Loretta LYNN's song was DEE song that was played this morning. Of course, LET YOUR LOVE FLOW, that's the name of the song in the car. And Loretta LYNN???

What's that about?

Felt an immediate spark there. It was meant to grab her attention, and it did. Is that not a big fat sign for her to check on the video? The BOND. :D 

She ran through the lyrics while waiting for the YouTube video to load up in a separate firefox window.

Just let your love flow like a mountain stream

Let your love grow with the smallest of dreams

What a nice song. Yeah, found a HD video but without lyrics. This version is by the Bellamy Brothers. Loretta Lynn is too "dinosaur" - can't seem to find a clear video of her version.

You know, what struck Mom about the video is that, at the line, "Let your love show" an image of a heart-shaped cloud appeared. The next slide is an ORANGE slide that has the words : "And You'll know what I mean."

Heart-shaped cloud and a note "And You'll know what I mean..." on orange background? Gee, she couldn't help feeling like YOU were giving her that message. That is so like how You'd say. How many times have You said, " ... bla bla bla, You know what I mean, Mom ..."

That was definitely an attention-grabber. Told Dad that even Bollywood, let alone Hollywood, scriptwriters cannot come up with a story-line like this. :D

Also, there could have been many other images the creator of the video could have used, to depict "Let your love show" ...  but a cloud?

MUSIC VIDEO : LET YOUR LOVE FLOW (BELLAMY BROTHERS)

Surely You'll remember that Mom had used a similar heart-shaped cloud in your FALL FOR YOU video.

So very well-planned ...

How do You do that??? Honestly, HOW???

There was also another image of a heart with wings (Let your love fly) in that LET YOUR LOVE FLOW video, which inciDANtally, is also a similar image that Mom had selected for your FALL FOR YOU video. 

So YES, to answer all her own questions, she did get her SIGNS that she should post this song-message on the Blog. You got her at Loretta LYNN.

In fact, after all the messages Mom received the past 2 days, now this one says, LET YOUR LOVE FLOW ...

Oh gee woah ... It's perfect! What a beautiful message. Thanks Son. Truly. <3

Let your love flow, 

Let your love shine, 

There's a reason ...

Been playing the song and soon got Dad and Justine humming along. Chuckle. :D

 

MUSIC VIDEO : LET YOUR LOVE FLOW (K) 

Here's a sing-along version. :D Gotta go. Dad's about to do a cooking demonstration. :D Assam Fish tonight. Oh, by the way, Mom's found a hot black-pink leopard print background for your next video. Grin. 

You must be shaking your head now ... :D

Justine is busy at this point in time, so Mom's gonna just do a video with lyrics. No pictures. Will post on your Facebook site on your 21st. Hopefully it will be ready by then. <3 Keep your fingers crossed.

"There's a reason for the sunshine in the sky,

There's a reason why I'm feeling so high ..."
 

Call 25 : BRIGHT SUNSHINE

Hello Son,                                  (continue from Call 24)

Woah, so now that we've got that all figured up and cleared up, that EVERY WE DO, we should do for God, a nice lil song came on a few minutes later. At 10:31am : I CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW. It was the rainbow part that caught Mom's attention. :D

 MUSIC VIDEO : I CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW (JIMMY CLIFF)

I think I can make it now, the pain is gone

All of the bad feelings have disappeared

Here is the rainbow I've been praying for

It's gonna be a bright (bright)

Sun-shiny day!

After reflecting on the lines of IF I DIE YOUNG, (by the way Justine says, that's a nice song), at the time of writing this call, how You asked God to send your mother a rainbow, so she would know You are safe with Him, and the message that Everything We Do, we should do for God ... 

This song sure feels like a nice closure to all the song-messages of Tuesday.

Just when we thought there couldn't possibly, P-O-S-S-I-B-L-Y, be anymore song-messages that day, A NOTE TO GOD (by Charice) came right after that, filling the car and leaving Mom in awe. 

MUSIC VIDEO : NOTE TO GOD (CHARICE)

If I wrote a note to God

I'd pour my heart out on each page ...

Grant us the faith to carry on

Give us hope when it seems all hope is gone ...

Pretty overwhelming, wouldn't You say? Certainly a good feeling. Correction, a GREAT feeling! Somehow, that day, that Tuesday, there was an unmistakable connection that was going on in the car. We were in the car for about an hour, driving from home to Cititel, to Subang Airport, and then to Taipan. 


It all started with a nice cheery greeting with profound lyrics in the RIVER OF DREAMS.

I've been searching for something

Taken out of my soul

Something I would never lose

Something somebody stole

When God carried You home, something WAS taken out of her soul.


Realizing that she is still searching, through the next song, IF I DIE YOUNG, You found a way to assure your mother that you're safe with God. Give her a rainbow, You ask God. That's the sign.

Then, there was a further scream at the top of her lungs : WHAT'S GOING ON?

And I pray, O my God, do I pray

I pray every single day

For a revolution

And so I cry sometimes when I'm lying in bed

Just to get it all out what's in my head

And I'm, I'm feeling a little peculiar

So I wake up in the morning and I step outside

And I take a deep breath and I get real high

And I scream from the top of my lungs

What's Going On???

Followed by a soothing assurance by God in the next song, EVERYTHING I DO, I do it for You. 

 GOD says :

Look into my eyes and You will see

What You mean to ME

Search your heart, search your soul

And when You find ME there

You'll search no more

She says :

There's no love, like YOUR love

And no other could give more love

There's no way, unless YOU're there

All the time, all the way

Having been enlightened to that, she can now see clearly - That everything we do, we should do it for God. 

Hence, the song, I CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW.  

The rain is gone, the pain is gone, and the rainbow she has been praying for is here. It's gonna be a bright sun-shiny day. It doesn't end there, because what good is a bright sun-shiny day without God in her life?


And so, the final message, a final reminder to her, before the song messages ended, is to drop a note and start communicating with God for strength, faith and hope. The song NOTE TO GOD clearly emphasizes that.

Oh My Oh Boy Oh Wow ... This is all pretty astounding. These messages make perfect sense to Mom. Somehow, those songs have jumped up and spoken to her in a way she is not able to fully describe. The lyrics had seemed to filter through her mind, and certain lines just stand bold and glaring, grabbing her fullest attention. Like they were highlighted in her brain.

Say Hi to God. Will definitely write a note to God tonight. <3 

Thanks for all the song-messages, Son. 

Missing You. <3

Call 24 : WEDDING SONG

Hello Son,                                          (continue from Call 23)

Checked the video later that night and Mom must admit, the lyrics do make sense. Sometimes, You just wanna SCREAM-at-the-top-of-your-lungs and say : 

Heyyy, What's Going On???

MUSIC VIDEO : WHAT'S GOING ON? (4 NON BLONDES)

In the car, Dad happened to mention to the russian ladies that the last time Dad and Mom went to Langkawi, it was on our honeymoon. They responded with, Oh Memories ... You must be nostalgic etc.

Arrived at Subang Airport past 10am. We wished them a great time, and we were soon on our way to meet up with Mom's Godson in Taipan Subang.

Would You believe it, on the way there, Dad and Mom's Wedding Song (in church) came on the radio! Gasp! Seriously??? 

EVERYTHING I DO???

 MUSIC VIDEO : EVERYTHING I DO (BRYAN ADAMS)

Dad and Mom listened in utter disbelief!

The time was 10:22 am. What is the likelihood of Dad mentioning about the honeymoon and some 20 minutes later, the Wedding Song appears in the background? That was pretty amazing.

THE BOND. :D Awfully cute. <3

MUSIC VIDEO : EVERYTHING I DO (K)

Here's a sing-along version. 

While on YouTube, came across a comment of somebody who dedicated this song to God ... which made Mom ponder. You know, if You really think about it, certain parts of the lyrics could be from us to God, and certain other parts, from God to us. Truly. 

Gee, is that why the song came on? To remind us that, everything we do, we do it for God ... :D

(continue in next Call 25)

Call 23 : DIE YOUNG

Hello Son,

Today was a beautiful day. 

Dad and Mom left the house just after 9am. We went to Cititel Hotel to pick up two friends from Kazahstan to give them a lift to Subang Aiport. They are going to spend a few days in Langkawi beach while they are holidaying here.

In the car, the radio was on at Mom's station. The song that was on at the time was RIVER OF DREAMS (9:24AM). 

Nice and cheery. Perfect song to start the morning, Mom thought. 

Dad agreed. :D

MUSIC VIDEO : RIVER OF DREAMS (BILLY JOEL)

The next song that came on started with the lyric :  
 

If I die young ...

If I die young??? 


Mom has not heard of this song before. 

It sounded like one that she needed to pay attention to. Started punching that line into her mobile so she could look up the song later at home. The next 2 lines that followed were : 

Bury me in ....... (?)

Lay me down on a bed of roses

Keyed those lines in. 

At the same time asked Dad, "Bury me in what???"

Dad said, "Satin."

Bury me in satin? 

Woah Son. 

Told Dad, Yeah, he did die young, and we did bury him in satin, and although he didn't lay on a bed of roses, he was COVERED with roses just before his casket took off to Heaven. 

Was that song for Mom, Son? 

Sometimes, she just wonders if You are some kind of Heaven's Music DJ up there. Do You like, look down from what You are doing up there, see us in the car, hurry to tell God : Excuse me God, but can this task wait? I have to put a song for my Mom now. She's in the car. :D

Anyway, checked the video later in the evening and was moved to discover the following beautiful lines : 

Lord, make me a rainbow

I'll shine down on my mother

She'll know I'm safe with You

when she stands under my colors

 
HOMEMADE VIDEO : IF I DIE YOUNG

Thank You for the beautiful song-message, Daniel. And yes, You were wearing WHITE when You went to meet Jesus. 

Mom can't help picturing an image of a white casket-spaceship arriving in Heaven, quite like how Kah-El arrived on earth from Krypton. God, Mother Mary and Heaven's Angels came to greet You. 

You must have sat up, the roses dropping by your side, looked around in wonder and bewilderment and said, AWWWE-SOME! ... as You took God's hand and pulled yourself up. 

Was that how it happened?

 MV : JUSTINE SINGS IF I DIE YOUNG 

What a beautiful, thought-provoking image ...

We arrived at Cititel slightly after 9:30am. Picked up the two nice ladies and soon found ourselves engaged in a casual conversation. Told them we have a russian dog called Kishka. Asked if they knew what the name meant. 

One of them said, "It means, organs, in russian." 

Organs? Kishy-girl? Your name means, Organs? Does Aunty Carol know she named You, Organs? Wait till Mom tell her. The other lady said, "You know the long thing in the stomach ..." and she showed her hand action, going zig-zag, zig-zag.

Mom chipped in, "Intestines?"

They both exclaimed, "Yes, Yes, intestines."

We laughed. 

The radio volume was low, but Mom could hear the screaming lines of the song in the background:

I Said Hey, What's Going On??? 

Was chuckling to herself in her seat. Glanced at the digital clock on the dashboard. It showed 9:48am. No, she couldn't possibly explain the humor to the russian friends. 

They wouldn't understand. 

That was probably YOUR respond. 

Like : 

Say What??? 

Kish? 

My Super-Dog? 

Named after Intestines? 

What's -- Going -- On??? 

:D

Grin. Now that's really funny. :D

(continue on the next call : 24)

Call 22 : ONLY EXCEPTION

Hello Son,

Sunday was truly a special day. It must be because of the special 10-10-10, huh. After posting the Call 21: CALL ME entry, Mom left the house with Dad. 

Was still reflecting with sheer happiness of what had just happened that morning. It had felt so fantastic, she wanted to sing and twirl and shout out loud. Indeed, she felt like she could just float in the air anytime then. Everything felt so darn right and so darn good. So wonderfully darn magical!

Dropped Dad off at Gardens Mall and drove on towards town. As she was driving and still smiling to herself, she could not believe it when she heard the song that came on the radio then. 

I FEEL GOOD 

na na na na na na na 

I knew that I would ...

The time was 1:05pm. The station, 105.7. Mom's station. Man, what a perfectly delightful song to describe Mom's exhilaration. She was chuckling and grinning to herself as she sang along in the car. Could not care less if people were watching. :D

Reaching Justine's tuition center, she parked the car by the side of the lane, reached for the key to turn off the engine. The song had come to an end. Another perfect timing. Honestly, today was just a fantabulous day! The CALL ME song also ended right at the moment when Dad had parked (Sunday morning).  

MUSIC VIDEO : I FEEL GOOD (JAMES BROWN)

Justine hopped into the car a few minutes later. Mom didn't know how to even begin to tell her those inci-DANS that happened this morning and just now. Jus felt the suspense somehow, as she raised her eye-brow at Mom. 

Mom started slowly, "Today - is - just - so ..." and mouthed the word, O -- M -- G. <3 

Jus reacted excitedly, and wanted to know immediately but Mom said she'd tell her everything during lunch. We decided to go to JoJo for pan mee. Justine reminded, "Hey, the last time we had a story time, it was also at JoJo's." So on that day, 10-10-10, in the car, on the way to lunch, we solemnly made JoJo our official story place. :D

Anyway, we turned into Kuchai Entrepreneur's Park and drove on to our favourite pan mee coffee shop. Parked the car and walked over. It was 1:30pm. We walked past another popular restaurant on the same row (this one selling fish head bee hoon) and noticed that it was pretty packed. 

Justine made a critical observation, "Lunch time, JoJo will also be packed."

Yes, it normally is very packed, and would be on a weekend too.

However, Mom was confident, and said, "There will be a table for us. Don't worry." True enough, at a distance as we were approaching the coffee shop, we spotted a nice table waiting for us. The place was packed, all the tables were occupied but this nice white IKEA table in the corner was available.

Special reservation has been made, we said knowingly and exchanged a secret chuckle. We ordered our food, and Mom began her "Once-upon-a-time...":D

What? OMG ... Really? ... Call Me??? ... Awww ... so cute ... I feel Good??? Hahahahaha ... When did this happen? ... Just now? ... All this happened JUST NOW??? etc

We finished our lunch and were walking back to the car. Justine said that she has been working out, and she feels her legs are firmer, arms toner and tummy flatter. Mom responded in surprise, "You've been working out? Like where?"

She said, "In the bedroom."

Mom had to smile hearing that. Teased her, "I've never heard of anyone getting such good results just exercising in the bedroom."  

(Note the red line because Mom's about to get a respond from the radio in a few minutes.)

Jus responded by giving her butt a lil spank, brought her knee up and shook her leg (to show it does not wobble), and showed off her ahh, toned, arm muscles. She demonstrated all that while walking to the car. :D

In the car, Mom pulled out from the parking space. Justine turned on the radio, and changed to HER station. She has 2 stations that she listens to. The time was 2:20pm. Can't remember which station she tuned in to.

A song had just started, but was unfamiliar to Mom. So she was not really paying attention to it, until the chorus came on. Then, her ears pricked up and she soon found herself straining to listen as the chorus was being repeated a few times.

The repeated lyrics were :-

You -- are -- the only exception

You -- are -- the only exception

You -- are -- the only exception

You -- are -- the only exception

When Mom heard that, she was totally amused. It felt like You were having a conversation with us, and You were like, expressing your opinion about your sister's recent workout results. The timing of the song was immaculate. Totally spot on.

What's the title of this song, Mom asked. Justine said, THE ONLY EXCEPTION. Of course, it couldn't be anything else but THE ONLY EXCEPTION. 

By whom?

Paramore ...

Had to ask her to spell out Paramore. :D

Was that your opinion, Daniel? That your sister is THE ONLY EXCEPTION. She probably is, huh. The only person we know who can get all tone and trim exercising in her bedroom. Grin. Oh, that was really quite funny.

MUSIC VIDEO : THE ONLY EXCEPTION (PARAMORE)

We went for Mass in the evening (Sunday). We were early. Jus went to the Girls' Room, taking the exit on the RIGHT of the church. Came back moments later and said, door locked. So Mom went with her, now using the exit on the LEFT of the church. Found the Girls' Room. She went in, Mom waited outside, reading a notice on a mobile board nearby. 

Discovered that right in front of her, is a small chapel for Silent Adoration and Exposition of The Blessed Sacrament with a schedule of time for parish-goers could use daily. We had spend much time with You during the Blessed Sacrament moments in Lourdes. Dad and Mom surely missed those special quiet moments with You in the presence of the Lord. Mom's glad to have found that chapel. 

Told Dad later about it. You must have led Mom there. Had the door not been locked just now, she would not have accompanied Jus to the back of the church. That evening, the Mass ended with her favourite Marian Hymn, QUEEN OF THE ROSARY.

Felt the BOND instantly. Several times, Mom had sung Marian songs to You, and each time, she would tell You that her favourite is Queen of The Rosary. You must have somehow arranged for that. Everything seems to be falling into place very neatly today. We feel You by our side, more importantly. More than ever.

Thanks very much for today (Sun), Son. Today has been nothing but unbelievably magical. God is ever faithful. God is always good. <3 

Here is a beautiful Marian song taken from the movie Sister Act. HAIL HOLY QUEEN. <3 

Viewing this video has made her eyes all misty. Taking in a deep breath and, blink blink blink.

MUSIC VIDEO : HAIL HOLY QUEEN SALVE REGINA (SISTER ACT) 

A mother holds her child for a while, 

and his heart for a lifetime. <3