A mystical reminder

A father was buried on Dec. 24, 1999. Later that evening, the family members gathered in the house of the deceased to discuss their mother's future. The father was survived by five children and a wife who had been his life partner for 54 years.

During his lifetime, the father helped his wife who was almost totally paralyzed. It was certain that the mother would not be able to live alone. The grown-up children began to discuss the matter. The discussion immediately became heated, as it was more centered on the expenses of taking care of their mother rather than on how to find the best way to remedy her situation. Their mother could only listen helplessly.

At that very moment the quarreling children heard people singing Christmas carols, followed by a knock on the door. One of the children opened the door. The other children stopped the discussion and hurried to the door to see what was going on outside. There was a group of young people led by the preacher who had led their father's funeral rites. They were surprised at the preacher's presence. The preacher was also surprised when he saw the children, as he had never expected to see them all together. They all stood speechless, staring at each other, while the young group sang the song Peace on Earth.

When the group of young carolers was gone, the eldest son said: "Father sent them here. He is reminding us to behave ourselves, and to take care of our mother's well-being." They then all forgot the quarreling and lived thereafter in peace and harmony.

A. DJUANA

Jakarta