MY NEW ANGELS

For many years, I have collected angels of all shapes and sizes. They each have stories that warm my heart and soul. The largest one — wooden with hinged wings and a yellow star attached on the right hand with curled wire — was given to me by a ‘secret pal,’ Donna Neach, a Madison High School colleague many years ago. The latest one — a ceramic flying angel that will hang by its dainty ribbon on my Christmas tree next year — was given to me by my wonderful friend, Kim Engman. I even received two completely different Angel calendars this year as Christmas gifts — one from my oldest son, Stuart, and the other from my daily confidant, Mary Fitzella.

This past summer, I had the privilege of becoming part of the lives of some real angels. Their names are Abbey, Ella and Harper. They are the beautiful children of two young mothers whom I have known for the majority of their lives. Lucky for me, these angels’ moms need and want me to help them in a variety of ways!

Abbey and Ella, born in May 2004, are twins with the biggest blue eyes ever. Their smiles light up every room they enter, and their laughs are infectious. Since their mom and I have become reacquainted, I get to play with, hold and love her two angels at least once a week. Mary and Bill, their parents, have said that I am the only person that Abbey and Ella will stay with and not cry. Ella even kisses me all the time, which she does not do with anyone else who takes care of her.

Harper, born in June 2005, is the handsome son of Anne and Adam. I have known Anne since she was four years old and later was her second grade teacher. It has been thrilling to be able to be a part of Harper’s life — going to appointments with him, taking care of him so that his mom and dad could go out on a “date,” helping to pick out his Christening gown. He repays me by smiling and laughing at me and always coming into my arms without a fuss.

There are a couple of other angels that I have gotten to know, hold and love this past year. Luke is such a charmer who smiles and laughs out loud. I had never seen a baby who never cries, until I met happy go lucky Luke. His parents, Maggie and Rob, know that they have a true bundle of joy on their hands. William, the son of Marla and B.J., has a “Gerber” baby face, white hair and the most dazzling eyes I have ever seen. When I hold him he just stares at me and I melt away into the clouds.

It has been a special blessing that God has given me a chance to be a part of the lives of these new children because this year my youngest son, Zachary, will graduate from high school. These babies are a gift to each of their parents but certainly to me. Through them I truly know what the Bible scripture meant that angels are “ordinary people who carry messages.” Abbey, Ella, Harper, Luke and William are certainly not ordinary, but they have sent a strong message to me. They are vivid reminders that all children are gifts from God, made in His image. We are all called to nurture and love them and provide them secure roots so they can grow and spread their wings.

— Pam Rawlinson

Courtesy of The Church of the Good Shepherd United Methodist