Hello Son,
This morning, Mom went to pick up the maid.
Before that, she woke Dad up, to get him to get ready to go for breakfast when she came back with the maid.
It's a Saturday today. No school.
Yahoo!!!
It was about 7:45 am.
She went out of the lift at the ground floor. Walking towards the car, shes suddenly spotted a tiny white feather right before her path. She had to pass it. It was neither too much to the left or to the right where she could have missed it, it was RIGHT THERE within her pathway.
White feather?
Smile.
She walked over it.
Once upon a time, she would have squealed with delight, bent down to pick up the feather, whether trampled or not, and carefully put it on a safe place to take a photo.
Those days were --- gone.
Pause.
Good morning, Son. :D
Your mother can feel your -- vibes -- already.
Yes yes Mom knows. It's Saturday. It's our call day. Gosh, there's so much to say, she didn't know how to start. If only she could just spend her time at Starbucks every day just writing and writing and writing ...
By the way, the book people are calling her again. And emailing her. Send us your manuscript, they say. Mom's like, it's not finished ... and I haven't the time to complete it bla bla bla.
Still, she's gotta give it to them. They have been following up with her since the first time she wrote to them for free info -- 3 or 4 -- years ago. Quite persistent, these book people.
Anyway, Mom was soon in the car ...
Drove to school ...
Picked up the maid ...
And drove back to the condo.
Dad appeared shortly. We drove to a nearby cafe.
Your parents both had a hearty western breakfast and coffee this morning. :D
You must have seen your mother stuffing her face with baked beans and sausages and scrambled eggs and toasts and mushrooms and tomatoes and ... oh, she gave her broccoli to Dad ...
You called a floret of broccoli tree when You were little ... remember?
Mom remembers -- clearly.
You'd picked a piece of broccoli from your dinner plate one day and said, "tree."
Smile.
Pause.
Where was she?
Ah, right ... breakfast.
So, while waiting for her food to arrive, Mom found herself staring at a bright green tee shirt in front of her.
It had the number 3 ...
and the word FRANCE on it.
Hmmm ...
Number 3???
She must confess, that did not ZAP her.
Still, it made her stare -- and wonder -- if there might be a message for her.
You must have whispered into your mother's ear :
Look closely, Ma ...
And so she did ...
She studied the tee shirt ... from where she was sitting.
3? In France?
Dad, Mom and You ... in Lourdes, France for 25 days.
Memories flooded back.
She studied the colors of the flag : blue, white and red ...
Instantly, she saw her son in blue, white and red.
Did she not say that over and over and over again that wherever we are, there You'll be ...
The computer where your photos are kept, crashed ... but You'd be able to see yourself in those colors in your Orange Dot blog.
orangedansydots.blogspot.com
You look good, Son ... in those colors ... especially in red.
Anyway, here's blue, red and white from us down here missing You more than words can say. The extend of how much we miss You, Daniel -- there's no word for it.
Mom will have to create the word.
Let's say : blue white and red.
How's that?
If anyone asks her, how much do you miss your son?
She would say, blue white and red.
Hah.
Uncountable.
Infinity.
Like -- the blue ocean.
The white clouds.
The red --- red --- blood that flows in her veins.
You can never count these --- these --- blue white and red.
That's how much we miss You, Daniel.
Got the message?
Blue white and red from your family down here. <3
At the time of this call this morning, Mom was looking at her memo in her cell.
She had written :
9:34 pm : Every breath you take (i'll be watching you) (Glee on TV)
Tues 8 @ 6:45 am : (i always feel like) somebody's watchin' me
Thur 10 @2:40 pm : i just called to say i love you
Fri 11 @ 6:53 am : hello (is it me you're looking for?)
Fri 11 @ 2:21 : bus 4223 (two times 21) (24 / 1994) (your birthdate and birthyear)
Smiling to herself, she had plonked herself on the sofa.
Ocean Thirteen (on HBO) was just starting.
It wasn't your mother's kind of movie. However, shortly after the movie started, these words were spoken:
"When's the opening?"
"July 3rd .."
Casually, Mom thought, July 3rd ... that's 4.
"There'll be fireworks ..."
She sat up.
Fireworks???
Was that a ZAP?
Again, one of the characters said, "July 3rd ..."
July 3rd -- a second time???
Mom jumped up from the sofa to get her cell.
She gasped when she saw the time.
3:43 pm.
Oh --- my --- Lord.
3:43 ???
Is -- that -- not -- July 3rd???
Omg ...
What are the chances???
Truly Daniel, everywhere we are, there You'll be.
Mom sat herself before the television and watched for um, any further eviDANS.
Danny Shield ... she thought she'd heard. Upon checking wikipedia (at the time of writing), she learned that one of the characters was called Daniel Ocean.
Smile.
A few minutes later, the words
It's dangerous ...
appeared across the television screen.
Oh my ... really???
Dangerous???
Dangerous was your first 3 syllable word.
Moments later, she heard "Black Jack ..." mentioned.
Black Jack?
Like 21???
ZAP ZAP ZAP.
A big grin appeared on your mother's face, she's sure You would have seen.
Don't ask her what the movie was about.
She wouldn't know.
Haha.
Anyway, it was enough for her to know that her son had zapped her. She did not finish the movie. She suddenly remembered this photo she took last Sunday, when Dad was paying our astro bill.
Mom had showed Dad later.
In fact, Dad was surprised and said, he did not notice the pink sign.
Mom had said, "You see, son is reminding he's beside us all the time ..." :D
Yes Daniel, You are ... You really are right beside us all the time.
All the time, Son ...
All the time.
Blue white and red ... Daniel.
Very much. <3
Hello Son,
Here are some photos of Baby Dylan.
Born on Saturday, March 22.
Forgot the time.
Aunt D had said that the due date was on first week of April. However, Mom had told her that the school's semester break started on Saturday, March 22 and that if the baby arrived during the holidays, she would have time to visit and help out.
And the baby chose to arrive on Saturday, March 22.
Right smack on the start of her semester break.
Not a day earlier, and not a day later.
Hmm, what have You got to say about that, Daniel?
Did You have something to do with that?
Pause.
Of course You do. What a coinciDANS.
Wink.
So anyway ...
Here are Aunty C with Megan in the car on the way to the hospital.
Megan was so excited.
Oh, Aunty D was in Labour Ward 4 by the way.
Like the last delivery.
Yes, yes, Mom overdid it in Mothercare.
In her defence, everything was just too cute ... :D
The above photo was the very first picture of Baby Dylan a few hours after delivery.
Winking already?
Wait a minute ...
Wink?
Like ... WINK WINK ... Saturday March 22???
Smile.
Mom got it.
Wink Wink. Back to You, Son. >.o
So anyway, this one below is taken about a week later.
Would You look at his piercing black eyes ...
What a beautiful baby.
A precious gift from God.
Truly.
Anyway ...
Two days ago, Aunty Laura from Lourdes sent Mom a video link.
How Great Thou Art.
By a little boy, aged 5.
Mom had asked Dad and Justine to come over to the computer desk so that we could all view the video together.
And we did.
First, we were like --- Woah ... like, loudly.
Then, oh wow ... on a softer note.
Then silence.
It was not possible for Mom to view the video right to the end because of tears welling up in her eyes.
How great thou art.
Flashback.
You were in the ambulance. Dad was with You. We were transporting You to another hospital in Pao (France) from Lourdes Hospital.
Sept 2009.
Aunt Laura and Mom were in her car. We were following the ambulance closely from behind. Aunt Laura started to sing HOW GREAT THOU ART ... and soon your mother sang along. It helped to keep your mother comforted and sane.
In the midst of all the turbulence and storm around her, there is still -- stillness -- in her heart ... as she is reminded of God's awesomeness.
Who was she kidding? Her faith was faltering.
Her hope, fragile. Like a sheet of glass.
JESUS, TAKE THE WHEEL ...
Yet, the voice that came out from her lungs was sure and strong.
And deceivingly, confident.
Pause.
Go figure.
Then sings my soul, my Saviour, God to thee ...
How great thou art, how great thou art ...
Listening to this hymn, Mom just feel like basking and --- and --- immersing her whole soul in the rays of this powerful song.
If there is such a thing.
There is ...
o . <
Hello Son,
Arriving at the condo this afternoon, Dad parked the car at our bay. He and Mom was heading towards the lift when Mom suddenly spotted a feather on her path.
She stopped abruptly, bent down give it a quick glance before pointing it to Dad.
No, she didn't pick it up.
She's gone past that stage. :D
That was one sign though.
Only one sign.
There should be a second one if her son is zapping her. :D
Mom soon forgot about her second sign as she went to visit Aunty Di, who lives a floor below us.
Baby Dylan came home on Sunday. :D
Will upload some photos in a bit.
Anyway, she spent some time with the baby before going back to school before 3 pm.
It is the Easter break at the moment. Still the day care kids were all present.
So anyway, at the end of the day, when all the children had gone back, we closed up.
Megan, Mom and the maid.
We were in the car.
Driving out of the school premises, Mom's senses were suddenly alerted as she heard the TITANIC intro music coming from the radio.
The time on the dashboard was 7:14 pm.
Secret code : 21
Smile.
But of course.
The timing would be perfect.
Every night in my dreams, I see you, I feel you
That is how I know you ... go on
Far across the distance and spaces between us
You have come to show you ... go on
Her angel sign.
It was the perfect zap song to end the day.
Approaching the condo, and just as she was about to park the car, she remembered her first sign earlier.
Here's your second sign, Ma ... :D
It was a heart - warming moment.
Mom chose to bask in that 3 minute precious moment, by listening intently and singing along.
Line by line.
Thank you, Son. <3
Everywhere we are, there You'll be.
Near, far wherever you are ...
You are safe in our hearts, and our hearts will ... go on ... and on ...
Oh ...
Did You hear that???
The news is on. MH370 is found.
Talk to You tomorrow, Son.
Hello Son,
Friday, March 21
Friday 21st was your 50th month away from us. :(((
Pause.
How 50 months could slip by and breeze by, we will never know.
If only, Daniel ... if only ...
If only You were still with us.
We miss You so very much, Son. If not for the zap zap zaps and the connection, Mom would not have been able to cope ... and move on.
That said, we must not forget to thank Jesus for His resurrection ... because of Jesus' resurrection, You are alive and well, and someday, Daniel, we will be together again.
Every day, You remind her that you're near.
So very near.
Constantly, You drop her a sign ...correction, two signs ... to let her know you're right beside her.
There is not a moment that You are not on Mom's mind, Daniel.
You're always on her mind.
Always.
Friday 21st ... was the last day of school, before we break for the 1st semester holidays.
One week break only.
Oh well.
After school, Dad and Mom went to a nearby mall for some lunch. We had a great birthday celebration that day in school, and it was just a big sigh of relief that we could finally take a breather and enjoy our -- iced milk tea.
Hah!
After lunch, Mom told Dad she promised the kids she would buy the DVD RAPUNZEL for the day care kids to watch when they get up after their nap.
She walked over to the DVD stall, and asked for their collection of Disney cartoons.
There were like 20 over folders on the table, filled with all kinds of DVDs. The guy pointed to 3 of them, somewhere in the middle of the display table, and said, "These are cartoons."
He recommended FROZEN.
Hmmmm.
Let it go ... let it go ...
I'm one with the wind and sky ...
Mom said that she already has that DVD, and asked for TANGLED instead. We did that story during Fairy Tale time that morning. He reached down and got a copy for her.
She picked another 2 more.
FROG PRINCESS and LITTLE MERMAID.
She's never seen FROG PRINCESS, or should she say, THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG, and as for THE LITTLE MERMAID, the disc has been long -- missing.
After that, Mom found herself browsing --- randomly.
She picked a folder, and started to flip through.
It wasn't until she saw the print DANIEL BUTLER when she found herself -- staring.
Hmmm ...
Slowly, she flipped over a few more sheets (?) and immediately stopped when she saw the bold print HELLO. She could have sworn the HELLO had called out to her. :D
Pause.
Wait a minute.
Daniel ???
And HELLO ???
Why, that's easy ... Mom hears your voice saying that line from the hospital bed a week before You left us.
Daniel --- says --- Hello.
A smile appeared on your mother's face.
She would have loved to take a photo of her eviDANS ... but she couldn't. The DVD guy was standing right in front of her. What would he think? What could she say? Well, for starters, she could say that she wanted to take a photo of both the covers to send to a friend or ...
Oh forget it.
So tiresome, just trying to explain that.
Mom called Dad over. Her witness.
Dad came over.
Mom held up the DVD folder, pointed to the name DANIEL before flipping over to show Dad the second DVD, HELLO.
Dad and Mom exchanged a secret smile.
So anyway, to cut a long story short, we were soon back in the car within the next 20 minutes or so.
Dad would drop Mom off at school.
Just as we were about to reach the turning to the school, a certain intro music came on the radio that made Mom --- gasped.
Omg ...
Omg ...
Omg ...
It can't be.
Seriously???
Gosh, what are the chances???
WHEN YOU SAY NOTHING AT ALL ...
Oh My Lord.
The time was 3:04 pm.
Mom turned to Dad excitedly, "Omg ... When You Say Nothing ... that song ... When You Say Nothing At All ... that song that song ... We just saw the DANIEL and the HELLO ... and now we hear this song ... Omg ..."
It's amazing how you can speak right to my heart
Without saying a word you can light up the dark
Try as I may, I can never explain
What I hear when you don't say a thing
Oh gosh, Son ... that was super amazing.
What a reinforcement.
Mom had told Dad when she showed him the ZAP DVDs, that "Son is saying hello, it's his 21st today ..." and now out of the blues, she hears the lines :
Try as I may, I can never explain
What I hear when you don't say a thing
Oh wow, Daniel.
It's true ... there is no explanation.
Everywhere we are, there You'll be. <3
Talk to You tomorrow, Son. :D
Hello Son,
Oh gosh, Son ... it's almost a month since Mom last wrote.
It's been a crazy, crazy week after week after week.
After week.
Still, You never fail to zap your mother daily.
Daily.
Daily, You remind her that you're near.
Thank you, Son.
Miss You very much, Daniel. There is not a moment that you're not on our minds.
Your mother was searching for some images and came across this.
That made her stare ... for a while.
Then, just as she scrolled down, this image greeted her.
Rainbow ...
She found herself smiling.
It wasn't until some 10 minutes later, when she received the familiar ZAP ZAP ZAP.
The song SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW came on from the telly.
Oh gosh.
Really?
What a coinciDANS.
Mom had glanced at the time on her computer -- immediately.
9:25 pm.
Decode : 21
A secret smile.
But of course.
That reminded her of Dad's boarding pass the day before.
Dad was up north, and taking a flight back to KL.
He had sent Mom this:-
Dad's sms @ 9:12 am (with the image) read : On board now.
Mom studied the boarding pass slip and a smile appeared on her face. :D
You must have seen that, huh. :D
Did You?
Would You look at all her angel signs?
From the top : There's the big D.
No prizes for guessing what the D stands for. Then ...
2101 ???
Decode : 4
Boarding time 09:10 am.
Why, that's 44.
Her eyes darted up to 18MAR14.
A chuckle escaped her.
Secret code : 18(3)14
44
Again?
Smile.
Moving down to 00046.
Honestly, she couldn't help grinning.
46?
Like 23?
Why, that's a clear 1994.
Your birth year. :D
Only B5 has no connection ...
Aiyoh Maaaa ... she hears You.
How could a tiny little boarding pass bring so much -- joy -- to her?
ZAP ZAP ZAP.
That's not even the highlight.
Dad sent another sms at 11:06 am and said :
Co-pilot Daniel Fakri
Pause.
Oh my Lord ... You can't be serious.
What are the chances?
At 11:06?
Secret code : 4
Mom replied : o my lord, same as the singapore flight?
(Last weekend, your family was in Singapore. On the return flight back, the steward who made the usual announcement just before we landed, introduced himself as DANIEL. Gasp here, please! Dad and Justine were with Mom. We all heard.)
Anyway, Dad replied : Different airline. Daniel spoke on behalf of the pilot. Good English.
His next sms read : Son was supposed to be a Pilot. :(
Mom noticed the time of that sms and replied : you sent that 11:11 am.
Decode : 4
Truly Daniel, eveywhere we are, there You'll be.
Oh and You know what?
Yesterday afternoon, at home, Mom was at the sofa.
Resting.
Lunch break.
Why she has to rest so much these days, she's not sure.
Suddenly, without warning, at one precious moment, she saw before her eyes, a beauty expert giving some beauty tips, and then, lo and behold, appearing on the screen was the consultant's name :
ANNIE FORD DANIELSON
OMG ...
Mom had grabbed her mobile to check the time.
It was 2:48 pm
Smile.
Always perfect the zaps are.
Decode : 2(48)
Is that not a clear 21?
That evening, whilst Mom was on the computer preparing some school work, the name Ralph Macchio was mentioned about like, 10 times, on an episode of HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER.
Mom had glanced at the time.
She scribbled down on a piece of paper before her.
6:38 pm.
Decode : 44
Smile.
Ralph Macchio?
1984 Karate Kid.
Daniel-San.
Danielson???
Two times???
ZAP ZAP ZAP.
Honestly, what are the chances?
No chance.
Angel chance.
Your 21st is coming round the corner, Son.
Keep the zaps coming.
Talk to You in a bit.
Gotta go now and get some school work done.
Love You, Daniel-Son. <3
