Coz it is an incident that will forever be etched in my memory..N coz i cant find words to describe the feeling when it happened, all I could do was cry.. Tears of a feeling so magical, tears of love & joy..
Last week Monday (23rdh March 2009), was my father-in-law's death anniversary. It has been 7 years since he left us to be with the Lord & till today, he remains very very close to our hearts.. For the great son/husband/father/brother/uncle/friend/person that he was during his lifetime..
For a reason only known to God, I got the news on that particular morning that I'd have to fly back to UAE within the next 2 days.. Till this very second, I dont know why God has sent me here, but I do know that its for a reason..
Anyway, all those closest to him were in different parts of the world on that day (Mom was in Ipoh & she did the prayers there in our house where all his siblings gathered & offered their prayers too. Hubby was in Sandakan & he did his part in the temple. Kalpana chechi & family did their part in Sg Petani,n me..the latest addition to the family offered my prayer at the Shivan temple in Bt Caves- coz I couldnt take leave to go back to Ipoh)..
So, after work, I went to the temple n proceeded to pray at the Vinayagar & Meenachi Amman shrines, then went up to the Shivan temple to make an 'archanai' for Acha (as how I refer to my father-in-law)..
Since it was still early (abt 6.30pm) and a weekday, the temple was not crowded. After praying, I sat down in front of the Shiva Linggam n started chanting some mantras. Then I proceeded to sing the 'Sivapuranam' softly, so as not to disturb the other devotees who were sitting & praying/chatting in the temple at the same time also.
While i was singing, a couple with a son entered the temple. The toddler was about 2-4 years old. The Mother was holding on to his hand and they went to the main shrine to pray.
Then it happened..
After a few seconds, this boy turned & looked at me& smiled, so I smiled back at him while singing.. Then he broke free from his mother's grip & walked towards me..N I thought that he just wants to come near me & listen to what I'm saying.. But, he didnt stop.. He came n knelt down on my lap, hugged me so close & laid his head on my left shoulder.. I was speechless for a moment, but I still continued singing.. He was in that position for at least half a minute, then he got up, kissed both my cheeks, then turned & looked at the Shiva Lingga.. Then, he turned at me, gurgled something in his baby language, carried up both his hands in praying form, then came to me & kissed me again before walking away laughing/ gurgling..
Then, I realised that I was so stunned/ moved by his gesture that I was crying already.. I mean, I never expected a stranger baby to ever do this to me.. I dono, maybe I resembled someone he knew..I just dont know what made him do it, but that warmth n that kiss will always be remembered by me..Even the other devotees at the temple were so shocked that they were throwing me weird glances after that..
But his mother gave me a stare before dragging him away..(Maybe she tot i'm a baby snatcher, i dono)..He even waved & laughed at me before leaving the temple, much to his mom's annoying look..hahaha..
I wish I had someone capture that beautiful moment for me, but since I couldn't, I had to make do with this picture. The scene is still fresh in my head &..my heart..
An image of the Bt Caves Shivan temple
1 comment:
Ma.. maybe its a way of god telling you that you will be having your's soon..... take it all in a positive way... and forget abt the mother who gave you the stares.. i wonder why ppl do that... i get ppl playing with yaash.. cuddling her,.. and carrying her oh even asking her for a peck on the cheeks... and i never made a fuss, nor did ragu or anyone in the family.
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