Unlucky Day with One Big Blessing

What luck we have today!
First my handphone got locked after just 2 error trials entering the security PIN code. (I thought they allow more, my old handphone allowed 4 errors).
Next, the internet went down (and stayed that way for a whole day) when I got energy and inpiration for blogging.
In the evening, Peng Mun's right side back tire tore and the inner tube ballooned.
Last, but not least, his handphone hung. No matter what he did, Peng Mun couldn't get the phone to respond. It wouldn't even be switched off.
I was to find out later that someone else in the Home labeled the day "black" too. She called it a
horrible, unlucky, black day. That same day, something horrible happened for her too.
To be fair, this day didnt start out all that horrid. It began with something good. Mr. Harry Tan came back to volunteering after recovering from an ailment which was life threatening for him. To see him back was a relief and a joy for all of us who had been worrying for him over this period of time. Mr. Tan has been volunteering for the Home for more than 3 years now. His loud hearty laughter was an advertisement of his presence and residents waste no time in asking him for help in all sorts of purchase. He was always running back an forth buying food and grocery for us and doing some odd job, always going an extra mile. Mr. Tan shares openly and it is a known fact that he has bad medical records relating to coronary artery disease.
"Anytime, I may just drop dead," he was always telling us. Yet he affirmed that he finds happiness in coming and volunteering. We thought he'd burnt himself out soon enough, but he kept going and proving us wrong. Many times he tired himself out and we kept reminding him to take it easy and learn to say 'no' sometime--something which he don't know how to do. He wasn't afraid of death but was only afraid that he would not outlive his mother. He didn't want a broken hearted mother crying over him.
"I pray hard, God will take my mother first."
Thursday, 23rd April, while he was still away in Genting, his mother met with a fatal accident and passed away on the spot. After that it so happened that Mr. Tan got ill and was hospitalised with a life threatening condition. We did not know what to make of it and was anxious. Praying for Mr. Tan was all that we can do. We were happy to see him again. That's one great blessing for the day.

Casual Meeting on a Sunday Morning

Cousin Yu Zhu and Xiao Gu (Aunt)

Not feeling too good, I skipped going to church today and least expectedly bumped into my relatives who had absolutely no idea about where I exist on this vast island. They came in a big group from the Mahabodhi Monastery where they are volunteers. It was Mrs. Masie Ko, one of our Management Committee member, who brought them to the Home.

Xiao Gu (Mandarin term for addressing father's youngest sister) had just walked by my room when I came out of it to accept and thank the visitors for the Yakult they were giving out. Xiao Gu recognized my voice and turned around. As for me, my thoughts didn't go further than 'She's got a face that look like someone I've seen.

"Ain't you Mook Lin's daughter?" she asked. Anyone calling my father by name must be a relative. The 'match it' cells in my brain were slow but quick enough I recognized her. Beside her, however, stood a cousin whom I had not met. After being introduced, I tagged along with the group and naturally made of myself their tour guide. Mrs. Ko had known Xiao Gu and cousin Yu Zhu for quite a long time and was amazed to be told of our relationship. It is a small world after all and if not for my being home on this day, we would not have met. God could have planned the surprise all along.