Annabelle is 5 years old already. Praise God that she has grown to be a good sister to both Clarissa and Barnabas. I enjoyed watching her taking care of her sister and brother in a very loving and caring way. Well, of course there are times when they will fight (Clarissa and Annabelle) but overall Annabelle is more of the gentle spirit. The opposite is Clarissa who wants thing her way. She would just grab the snacks or toys from her brother or even Annabelle. Barnabas is just watching, observing and immitating what he learnt from his sisters.

I enjoyed being with all of them. Both Annabelle and Clarissa would want to sit with their daddy. Barnabas is more sticky to his mummy than to me. But nowadays he has been willing to be with me more often which is great. He would greet me when I reached home and willing to give me a hug which I treasure most.

Clarissa though seems tough outside, is still very gentle and soft inside. She still wants to have the comfort and security of being in the arms of her daddy. I loves it when she comes to me, climb on my lap and makes herself comfortable, sucking her finger while holding her ‘bantal busuk’. I wonder whether I ever did that to my father.

Many people think that drinking is cool, that girls are impressed if they drink. Signs of Machoness and whateverness. But many failed to see that the danger posed by drinking affect not only themselves but others who are not even related to them.

To my children, Annabelle, Clarissa and Barnabas, may this story be meaningful to you all.

David, a rich guy, loved fast cars and he did have a few in his possession.

He loved to speed and could not be bothered about breaking speed limits.

Many a times he was caught by the cops and speed radars, fined, but still he never bothered until.

One day as he was driving at a very high speed as usual, he saw a cop following him.

The cop overtook him finally and asked him to stop and checked his license.

He then took out his pad and started Writing, and then handed over the sheet of paper to David.

How much was this one going to cost?!!!

Wait a minute.

What was this????

Some kind of joke? Certainly not a ticket.

David began to read:

“Dear David,

Once upon a time I had a lovely daughter.
She was six when killed by a car.

You guessed it - a speeding driver’s car.

A fine and three months in jail, and the man was free.
Free to hug his three daughters.

I only had one, and I’m going to have to wait until Heaven,
before I can ever hug her again.

A thousand times I’ve tried to forgive that man.
A thousand times I thought I had.
Maybe I did, but I need to do it again.
Even now.
Pray for me..

And be careful, David, my son is all I have left.”

David turned around in time to see the cop’s car pull away and head down the road.

He watched until it disappeared.
A full 15 minutes later, he too, pulled away and drove slowly home, praying for forgiveness and hugging a surprised wife and kids when he arrived.

Life is precious. Handle it with care.

Many times I wonder why the wedding ring must be put on the fourth finger. Well, here is one interesting thoughts on that.

Why should the wedding ring be worn on the fourth finger?

There is a beautiful and convincing explanation given by the Chinese…..

Thumb represents your Parents
Second (Index) finger represents your Siblings
Middle finger represents your-Self
Fourth (Ring) finger represents your Life Partner
& the Last (Little) finger represents your children

Firstly, open your palms (face to face), bend the middle fingers and hold them together - back to back Secondly, open and hold the remaining three fingers and the thumb - tip to tip.

Now, try to separate your thumbs (representing the parents)…, they will open, because your parents are not destined to live with you lifelong, and have to leave you sooner or later.

Please join your thumbs as before and separate your Index fingers (representing siblings)… ., they will also open, because your brothers and sisters will have their own families and will have to lead their own separate lives.

Now join the Index fingers and separate your Little fingers (representing your children)… ., they will open too, because the children also will get married and settle down on their own some day.

Finally, join your Little fingers, and try to separate your Ring fingers (representing your spouse).

You will be surprised to see that you just CANNOT….., because Husband & Wife have to remain together all their lives - through thick and thin!!

Please try this out……… ISN’T THIS A LOVELY THEORY?