There are angels among us...

Throughout the past weeks, I have made a note of the many

ANGELS

who have shown up in my life

just in time.

~ The Bolton Oil change guy who aired up

all four tires when I realized

one was going low.

When I asked him how much, 

he said, "No charge."

He was wearing a T-shirt that said,

"I've got your back."

INDEED!

~The Taco Bell lady who kept calling me

"Baby."

Ordinarily, this might irritate me,

but it only made me feel loved and cared for

at a time when I was needing TLC.

~Will Brady, the ever-present construction manager

at the condos, who just seems to show up

right when I need assistance.

He changed my tire on a cold, frosty

morning when I discovered it flat.

~Penny Garner, the UMC Volunteer, who

came by Rob's room with a newspaper at the

exact time I was wishing for one.

Really!

~Carolyn McDougal, who dropped a

Pioneer Condos flyer in the RWFE mail slot

back in August, and who had a beautiful

fruit basket delivered to 1001B when she heard

about Rob's illness.

~Shannon, my precious daughter-in-law, who got 

a bed ready, brought me a fresh toothbrush,

and laid out a pair of her PJ's for me to wear one

so I could stay the night with them.

~Brenda & Emma at "Emma's Cafe", who

were just what I needed one afternoon when my

heart was heavy and stomach empty.

Not only was the food delicious,

but their company was delightful...

lots of laughing going on.

My kind of place!

~Tom at McWhorter Tires, who had my tire

fixed, put the spare back in the trunk,

and inspected my brakes

when I told him "my story"...

all at no cost.

He just wanted to help.

~Reginald with Food Service at UMC; 

even though Rob never ate a meal, he always

showed up with a smile and a blessing.

~Tammy & Nicole, my two most

favorite nurses who laughed and cried

with me...I'd take them home in a minute!

~Shannon, yet again, who brought up a lovely

little fiberoptic Christmas tree to

Rob's room, taped pictures of the boys and

family to the side of his bed,

and held up her cell phone for Rob to watch

Sawyer perform in the Trinity Christmas program.

Beyond words!

~Colleen, the hospice chaplain, who showed up

at the exact right time, even though we

didn't know it, and said all the things I needed to hear

to help me just BE present.

~Danielle, a nurse's aide at Garrison, who I

saw only once and very briefly.

She came in with a hairbrush to brush Rob's hair,

because she thought it needed it.

I was so touched by her kindness, and

she told me her grandmother had been 

in hospice last year.

She got it!

~Rita, my dear, dear mentor and guide,

who was always with me, in presence or spirit,

whenever needed.

There were others along the way,

too many to mention here,

and I know there will be many, many more.

We must pay attention.

They are just waiting to appear.