Angels Among Us

Have you ever been feeling real down and all of the sudden a person from your past re-enters you life?  And, like a gentle wind, your sails seem to catch air again and you are off?  I believe that this is God working through our friends.  Several years ago my very best friend from high school developed breast cancer.  It was really weird, I had been thinking about her all week long but knew I had lost her phone number and it was unlisted.  In fact, the idea that she would have to eventually contact me ran through my head several times.  Then one afternoon, I was cleaning out my car and voila.....her address and phone number.  Having no idea how this got in my car, I reached for my cell phone and called her.  I listened quietly as she told me her diagnosis.  I checked on her frequently and was never more happy to hear she was a survivor.  As a matter of fact, do you remember the great evacuation of Houston for Hurricane Rita? I was in that traffic headed up to Dallas for her "It's Great to Be Alive Party."  Since then we have reconnected and speak more often but not as often as I would like.  No, I don't think I am an angel who came into her life.  I think she is the angel that came into mine.  In her I have found someone who I can confide my deepest fears and hopes.  Last night we had the honor of having the last blood transfusion appointment at MD Anderson.  At 8:30 p.m. (that's right folks- night 30 minutes prior to my bedtime) we were waiting to have blood.  I posted this to Facebook, not expecting to hear from anyone.  But, within 20 minutes my phone rang.  My dear friend called to check on me.  We were beginning to make our way to the blood center so the conversation was not as long as I would have liked.  She always ends her conversation with let me know when I need to come down and help.  I don't think I can ever tell her how much those words touch me because I know without a shadow of a doubt she means every last word.  And, if needed she would hop on the next plane out of Dallas and would be here ASAP.  Friends like that come along only rarely.  She is a true angel to me.

As many of you picked up on the fact that I have begun to feel very alone.  And, last week several of my sorority sisters were on my mind.  Once again, I had no way to get in tough with them.  Then suddenly out of the blue, I get a friend request from one and I was able to make contact with another.  Their kind and encouraging words touched me more than they will know and I am counting on a Phi Mu Houston Reunion. 

Finally, we have a couple of sets of friends.  One couple we have been friends with for 30 years.  We have lived a lifetime together.  They-  generally, the husband, have talked me into doing things I wouldn't normally do.  And, we have shared a lifetime of memories and good times.  They have helped run our business, had bridal showers for our daughter-in-law, and have come to the hospital more than I can count.  Another couple, now gives blood on a regular basis in Patrick's name on top of sending several home cooked meals to us when we were at St. Luke's (the food is awful there).  And, a third couple will drop what they are doing just to have dinner with us.  And, I know that if I need a place to hide out for a couple of hours in a peaceful environment, I can go there.  And, I know there is always beer in the fridge.  Knowing these people are out there allows me to know that if I need a breather I just need to call.

Finally, all the other people in Houston and around Texas who have put Patrick's name on their churches and synagoges prayer lists but who are too numerous to even count have renewed my faith in people as a whole.  As a counselor, I have heard horrible things that have happened to other people.  And, to keep my sanity, I have to be able to remove myself from some of these conversations.  I will listen clincally.  Many of the things I have been told are so horrible that my heart hurts for these children.  How can people treat others- especially a child- like that is beyond me.  So, I have to admit that a wall had been building to protect myself.  But, by the actions of all these people, I was no longer transfixed on the horrors of life, but was actually transformed.  Only angels can do something of that magnitude.  So, the lesson I have learned through this is that angels come in all forms.  They are your friends, your neighbors, your co-workers, and your family who are there to support you when you can't go the distance alone.