Angels Among Us

It happens to all of us. We go through some event that makes us sick of the rest of humanity. We wake up and think, “Why bother getting up?” Daily life becomes a challenge, and our souls are weary.

I had just such a week.

I won’t go into details, for one because it’s a long story, and for two, the actual events don’t matter. All I will say is that it was something that affected every member of my household and sent me into a depression that I’d prefer not to ever experience again. It made me question myself - as a mother and as a human being - and I spent the better part of the week feeling shame and guilt for this situation on a level that would have made Atlas’ shoulders droop.

Normally I’m a pretty upbeat person even in bad times, because I figure that having lost my brother-in-law in a 4-month fight with brain and spinal cancer, watching my father struggle for air as he died from throat and esophageal cancer, and having watched my beloved Gramma White disappear into the fog of Alzheimer’s, there’s not much that happens day-to-day to get worked up about.

A “don’t sweat the small stuff” attitude, y’know? And it’s all small stuff.

Except for last week.

Although the crisis part of things was over this past Tuesday afternoon, I struggled with how to cope with the future. 30 days and then what??

Yesterday I mentioned what was happening to a group of online friends. Just mentioned it and said I was working on finding a solution. Little could I imagine what would happen as a result.

Again, I’m not going to go into details, because I think it should remain a private thing between us, but one of those friends offered help in a way that was stunning in its scope, beyond anything I could have imagined. This person literally became my angel, and I am grateful beyond measure, beyond finding the words to express it. Just when I felt I reached the lowest ebb, there was someone, a “stranger” in only the face-to-face sense, holding out a helping hand.

I’ve always believed in the power of karma and the Three-Fold Law - that what we send out into the world returns to us times three, and that, when we act for the betterment of those in need, our generosity - of spirit, of friendship, of time, of money - will be returned when we need assistance.

So, for jeff: Thank you. The words seem like so little, in return for so much.

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ANGELS AMONG US
– Alabama

I was walking home from school on a cold winter day.
Took a shortcut through the woods, and I lost my way.
It was getting late, and I was scared and alone.
But then a kind old man took my hand and led me home.
Mama couldnt see him, but he was standing there.
And I knew in my heart, he was the answer to my prayers.

Oh I believe there are angels among us.
Sent down to us from somewhere up above.
They come to you and me in our darkest hours.
To show us how to live, to teach us how to give.
To guide us with a light of love.

When life held troubled times, and had me down on my knees.
Theres always been someone there to come along and comfort me.
A kind word from a stranger, to lend a helping hand.
A phone call from a friend, just to say I understand.
And aint it kind of funny that at the dark end of the road.
Someone lights the way with just a single ray of hope.

Oh I believe there are angels among us.
Sent down to us from somewhere up above.
They come to you and me in our darkest hours.
To show us how to live, to teach us how to give.
To guide us with a light of love.

They wear so many faces, show up in the strangest places.
To guide us with their mercy, in our time of need.

Oh I believe there are angels among us.
Sent down to us from somewhere up above.
They come to you and me in our darkest hours.
To show us how to live, to teach us how to give.
To guide us with a light of love.

To guide us with a light of love.

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UPDATE :: 6/21/07 ::  Another heartfelt Thank you to another angel: BWS (who knows all and sees all). I’m incredibly lucky to have found such friends.