A Prayer, A Song and A Book

A prayer, a song and a book

by Pier Angeli Ang Sen
(Published:dec 2008 issue of READ Magazine)

Before becoming a wife and a mother, I led a very predictable and mundane life. My day was a routine which included going to work, hearing mass, listening to music and looking forward to new releases by my favorite authors. Given the modest lifestyle I had, it never came as a surprise to my family and friends that an officemate, a prayer, a song and a book would bring me to my one true love.

A book most definitely. I love to read. It is as natural to me as sleeping, eating and breathing . After a hundred books or so, I realized, I was thirty and very much unattached. A little of the blame I lay on those really good books that had kept me company through the years.

Not that I didn’t like being single then, for in fact, it was a happy time too. But I grew up believing in the significance of marriage, parenthood and family life, so I ardently prayed to Him up there that He lead me to the right man.

I confidently asked Him for three specific signs.

First, I must clearly know that he came to me through Saint Raphael whose novena I prayed nightly.

Second, I must receive red roses on the second meeting. Realizing it was a tall order, I quickly added “ paper or plastic, roses in any form will do,”.

Third, I must hear my favorite song, “I’d Rather” at the precise moment when I wanted to.

Five months later , my office mate introduced me to Richard who I developed an instant liking because of the books that he read. I had already envisioned the collection he must have and the books that I could borrow.(talk about vested interest ,really) After several weeks of getting to know each other and that would be me talking about Terry Prachett’s disc world and him talking about his best bud Alex Cross, I knew we were for keeps. But what would be the likelihood that he grew up in a place called San Rafael Village? Or that their parish would be San Rafael Parish Church? Immediately, my forgotten prayer was recalled.

It also dawned on me that I already received my second request but I just failed to recognize it. In between conversations, I mentioned to him that the book I was reading was “Violets Are Blue” by James Patterson. He told me to read the prequel so I would appreciate the book more. And he promised to bring it the next time we’ll see each other.

Well I did say I was amenable with any type of rose , didn’t I?On our second meeting, he gave me a copy of James Patterson’s “ Roses are Red” Someone Up there clearly knew me so well and my love for reading that the roses I asked for , took the form of a book.

And finally of course ,I heard Luther Vandross’ song playing in his car on the exact time I thought I would.

I am presently a wife to Richard and a mom to Rafa. Books still keep me company. I have “Baby 411”, “Baby whisperer”, “Becoming Babywise” and “The Power of a Praying wife”. I may not romanticize marriage and motherhood.I most definitely do not live a fairytale life. But meeting my husband was well, one for the books.

OUR LOVE STORY WAS ALSO FEATURED ON A SHOW ON NATIONAL TELEVISION:
GMA 7 October 11, 2009 with Jolina and Jay-R:
watch our love story through the video on this link:
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ko3XqFRIErI