REJUVENATIVE ''TALK" WITH A SPECIAL LADY

Statue of Mother Mary (Our Lady of Fatima)

St. Anne's Chapel in Ayer Tawar

The shrine of Our Lady of Fatima

Some of you might find it peculiar when you read about me visiting the shrine of Our Lady of Fatima to ask for blessings and guidance. But then I also visit Hindu temples and pray there as well. Besides I studied in a convent school for 12 years and somehow the teachings of the nuns have gotten to me. When I was studying in Ipoh Convent, I enjoyed going to the chapel. For me the place was so serene and peaceful. Sometimes, I would go there during recess time when I was feeling worried or unhappy. Even as an adult, I would go and pray to the Catholic Saints at St. Michael's Church in Ipoh whenever I felt distressed and disturbed.

When I was driving back from Ipoh to Sitiawan I stopped at St Anne's Chapel in Ayer Tawar to spend some time with Our Lady of Fatimah. Somehow, I felt rejuvenated and energised after talking my problems over with Her. Looking at her serene face was a great balm for my troubled soul.

Know what? After the visit to the shrine I called my friend Lai Yoong to come over to my place in Sitiawan. I wanted her to to give me moral support when I called the person-in-charge at Pelanduk. Prepared for the worse, I called the lady with Lai Yoong sitting beside me. To my relief, she gave me reassurance that my book will get published. She got another editor for my book and it seems that they are putting back the photographs for my book which the former editor had changed all to illustrations. They will be sending me the drafts once they put the photographs back in and I will have to check the drafts one more time. Tiresome, isn't it? Hopefully, my book will be able to see the light of day in 2010. For your information, the man who worked on my book had to resign because of health reasons.