Pink Feather from an Angel

Have been walking with a lump in my throat the past few days. Have broken down and wept every now and then. Mike is equally affected. We are not alone. I am very sure that many parents are feeling the same way we feel.

Two young boys were killed in a road accident in Tampines, Singapore. The older brother was riding a bicycle with his younger brother as pillion. He had gone to the younger sibling's school to pick him home after co-curricular classes. They got hit by a cement mixer. Death was instant for one who'd been run over by the vehicle and according to the account of a witness, the other struggled to get up but collapsed and did not move again.

To sidetrack a bit, just to demonstrate that prudence is required even in the virtual world, pictures of their serious injuries were snapped and went viral online. Although I get that people just wanted to sympathise, it was in really bad taste to keep the pics in circulation. The general public consensus was insensitive to the family's feelings. Thankfully, people have more or less stopped the circulation. I did see the pics and I cannot get them out of my head. Not because it was gory or distasteful. More because I feel so, so sad for the parents and family members. I would like to say that as a parent, I empathise but really, how could I know the extent of the pain of the parent? If I as a complete stranger can break down because I can't take the pain of seeing how their lives ended so tragically, I cannot even begin to understand what their parents must be going through.

My son cycles. He has recently become an avid cyclist (with 4 bikes to his name) and has covered the Punggol Park Connector all the way from Yio Chu Kang till Punggol Beach and back (several times). He has ridden on the roads too. You should take a look at how tough his leg muscles are now. He is a very responsible rider; careful to wear his helmet, proper shoes and has safety lights all over his bike and himself (including the back of his helmet!). But I said to him last night, 'Not enough lights! Is there such a thing as a transparent helmet lined completely with lights!? You should wear that!' He suggested jokingly that he should just wear Christmas lights. No, Mummy is not kidding. A few blinking lights ain't gonna stop a daydreaming driver.

I reiterated to him that sometimes, as a driver, I have not-so-alert moments. I've explained to both my kids countless times, that drivers have bad days too. They might be distracted just for that moment and even when the light is in your favour, even when you think the vehicle has seen you, always, always always, err on the side of caution. One can never be too careful. One can never remind a child enough.

My point is not really to elaborate on the tragic deaths of the two young boys. My point is about prayer for our children. There's only so much we can do to try to ensure their safety. As a driver, I see on a daily basis, vehicles who break the rules, who run red lights. I see pedestrians who break the rules and who 'walk' red lights. Is it just me or am I getting the feel that it's become more rampant in recent years than in the past? All I can do is pray for the safety of my kids.

As a Catholic parent, I'm also asking my kids' Guardian Angels to watch over them, to intercede for them. I'm not kidding about this. I definitely believe in Angels. Speaking of Angels, since this is my blog and I'm free (with reasonable restraint) to write what I like.....here goes.....

A few years ago, someone had related to us, a near death experience and a visitation from a 'pink angel'. I don't know why, I've never thought of that story as being ridiculous and I truly believed the story although that person's relative told me to take the story with a pinch of salt. Now, remember the words, 'Pink Angel'. Fast forward to now.

I believe in Angels but I don't know if there are any which are specifically pink! However, a few mornings ago, I'd asked fervently for the angels to do an urgent intercession. That afternoon, as I was working in the office, a pink feather floated down on me. This irritating 'thing' just kept floating around me and not knowing what it was, I tried to sweep it away with my hands. No matter how I tried, it just kept hovering around me. Swept it left, right, up, down but it finally landed on my palm. I realised it was a soft, fluffy PINK feather.

My first reaction was to look up at the ceiling. Nothing. Windows, nothing. My office windows are never opened because the room is fully air-conditioned. I looked up and there was nothing to indicate where the feather could have fallen from. I looked around me and there was nothing pink. No pink stuffed toy. No pink clothing. No pink shawl. No pink bird. Then I knew in my heart that I'd been supernatually given a sign from an angel : )

Call me crazy. But I know it in my heart. In fact, this is the second time I've come across a feather when I was waiting for a sign. So to me, Pink Angels do exist after all : )
Some months back, I had a desire to paint angels (I don't know why) and this pink feather has again revived my interest. I've drawn a couple of drafts but you know me....sometimes, I get so caught up with my daily work, I don't know how to find the time to start painting again. Sigh.