Angels...

Victoria's Snow Angel, who adorns the front porch

Recently on an outing to find thrift store treasures, I found myself in the book aisle at a local Goodwill. I discovered several books that piqued my interest on the topic of angels. I love studying about angels, and often feel their presence in my life, and daily call on their assistance in matters great or small. Thus I was delighted to purchase the books (at half price even!) and couldn't wait to get home and delve into them.

One particular book that I picked up was a compilation of angel visitations which occurred during difficult times that the contributing authors were going through or accounts of their near death experiences. I thoroughly enjoyed reading these stories because for me, each account is inspirational and makes me feel confident and safe in the knowledge that angels do watch over us in love and protect us, and when it's time to leave our physical body, even tenderly assist in bringing us to our real home.

The book also reminded me of my first angel visitation when I was just a young pregnant first-time mom-to-be, living far away from home. My guardian angel literally 'had my back!'

You see, my husband and I had moved from Texas to San Francisco in 1975 when I was in my early twenties. At the time of my angelic encounter, I was 'great' with child, being 8-months pregnant with my daughter. We were living in a first floor apartment and had made dear friends with a young couple who lived in an upstairs apartment in the same complex. They had asked me to water their plants while they were away for a week, and I agreed.

When I set out on that brisk, foggy morning with watering can in hand, I remember thinking as I climbed each step how very steep the stairs were. And narrow. Plus, the huge fern to the right of our friends' front door was on a very small landing and in fact took up most of the space on the landing. It might be a bit easier to lift the watering can and maintain one's balance for someone who could actually see their feet when they looked down, but my only view was a big round belly!

As I was lifting up the watering can to empty the contents on the plant, the inevitable happened. I lost my balance and felt myself tumbling backwards in slow motion down the steep concrete stairs. Immediately, and I do mean immediately even before I reached the first top step, I felt two hands on my back break my fall as if they were literally catching me. Then they softly and gently raised me upright until I was standing steadily on my own two feet. With my heart beating rapidly, I turned around to look at my knight (or knightess) in shining armor, and lo and behold, not a soul was in sight. Not one person. No one.

Then whose hands had I felt on my back? Who had stopped my fall? Who gently put me back on my feet?

I know without a doubt that I was rescued from falling down that concrete flight of stairs that morning by my guardian angel - of that I am sure. My healthy baby daughter was born three weeks later, and I rejoiced knowing what might have been if not for my angel's intervention that day.

Through the years I've shared my angel story with others, and in turn, have listened to theirs. I like to remind myself that my angels are constantly present by collecting angel statues and putting them everywhere around my home, inside and out (meet my Snow Angel, pictured above). They make me smile. And that's a good thing. : )