WHAT DOES AN ANGEL LOOK LIKE?

It’s been 70 days since I wrote my “I Am Not Enough?“ blog post. Since that time, I have taken time to really work on being in a better place. I can’t say it’s been easy. It has taken a lot of introspection and some homework. It’s also taken an Angel or two.

In my experience, angels come in many forms. And at many moments, but they always come at the right moment. When I most need them.

After that blog post, I put my camera down. It sat on the shelf for weeks. I thought about my purpose in life. I read a lot (I can recommend some good books that can help…one of them is the 1943 French book, “The Little Prince”…thank goodness for English translations)

I thought about who mattered in my life. And most of all, I healed.

Reflecting on some of the most healing things that happened, this is what I know.

A mighty band of angels immediately came to support and encourage me in the many comments on my Facebook page in response to what I said. Thank you. Each and every one of you who took the time to write a comment wore a halo in that moment, I am grateful to each and all of you.

Those private messages that came in at the same time? So important..so loving. I read (and reread) every word. Thank you. But there was more….

Remember my friend who is in prison? The fellow who makes the crocheted animals? I have never met him. But I know his heart. He held my hand symbolically in every phone call we had. He gently inquired about how I was doing…really doing. But there were moments when the gentle approach wasn’t enough, the “gloves came off” and a challenge was thrown down. Everyone needs a friend like that….(more about him someday, that journey has been amazing).

Another day there was a phone call from someone who was concerned. She called that day, she called other days. Sometimes I didn’t take her call. But, she kept reaching out. She was there. Really there. And she didn’t go away. She offered to let me call her anytime. And then added, “If you don’t want to call, at least email me…”

And then….one day I picked the camera up and looked through the viewfinder. I saw scenes, but my soul wasn’t connected to what I saw. But I tried. It was a start.

The most recent “Angel” encounter, just last week, is what inspired me to write this particular blog. It was another woman, who reached out to me. She dedicated an afternoon (and bought lunch) to encouraging me to hold the camera, take photos, to see with my heart and not my eyes. It was a good afternoon; one I’d like to repeat someday.

Interestingly, all of these “angel” encounters came from people I don’t know well. They weren’t family or close friends. They are essentially acquaintances, who have made an effort to help.

You see, your act of kindness, your act of being there, even if you don’t know the person well, matters in a big way. The person you touch with your kindness may let you know it matters; and they may not. That’s okay. Do it anyways.

I’m here to tell you it DOES matter. In my experience, each and everyone of you can be an ”angel” in a moment of kindness. It doesn’t matter that you know the person, or that you know them well. What matters is that you reach out.

It can be a comment on Facebook. A happy post. A phone call or internet message. An encouraging word. Even a smile and those ”Christmas Eyes” I wrote about over the holiday. Your effort works..whether you see immediate results or not.

What does an Angel look like? It looks like YOU! (Thank you).

Adjust your halo and go make the world a better place. Someone is waiting who needs you.

Thanks to MY angels….every one of you. ❤️