By Kendall Stall
Angels really do walk the earth, and I knew one of them …
Do you believe in angels? I do. Did you know that some angels begin their lives here on Earth? That’s right … even right here in St. Charles Parish. I don’t believe that angels on Earth realize that they are angels. Everyone else knows they are, but the angels themselves don’t have a clue.
Still don’t believe in angels? Let me tell you a short story about my angel.
Well, she wasn’t really mine, although she made me feel that way. She traveled all around the parish helping everyone she encountered.
While on Earth our angel was modest and humble. Oh, but I have to tell you, she was beautiful inside and out.
Her hair, her shoes, her clothes, her pedicured toes … all just right. What a beautiful angel. One time she even appeared to have a “halo.” She glowed … and that glow didn’t come from fancy jewelry.
It was coming from within her, an inner beauty. After all, that’s what truly made her an angel. That’s when I realized, maybe I can become an angel, too.
So, I watched her very carefully. She didn’t speak much. Her actions spoke much louder than her words. This is what I observed:
She listened … even when it wasn’t convenient for her. And she didn’t criticize
She was always there for others … helping. Our angel made this look simple … I tried it – it isn’t .
She worked hard, didn’t complain and never gave up.
Not only did she continue to educate herself, she educated others.
She seemed to be ordinary but she did extraordinary things … she wanted ALL the children in the parish to know they could do this too … she did this by showing them how.
She didn’t blame others for putting up hurdles, she simply jumped over them.
She had idols … not rock stars or actors … real role models: Jesus, and her mom and dad.
She didn’t seem to be physically strong, in fact, she was somewhat clumsy. I thought all angels had special physical powers … her strength though came from calm, enduring wisdom … she was stronger than Hercules
Our angel was kind to everyone … EVERYONE … even those people who were not kind to her. I didn’t think they deserved it … maybe that’s why I’m not an angel.
Our angel didn’t know that I was observing her and learning from her. She couldn’t have. She left me without notice. I had so much more to learn. I miss her. We all miss her.
St. Peter heard her coming … her bracelets jingling … she already had a set of keys.
She carried them everywhere she went: kindness, compassion, caring, and love for others.
That’s what opened up the Pearly Gates. Let’s celebrate her life on Earth and new life as a heavenly angel.
Janice Guss is an angel.
Got something to say but need more space than a simple “letter to the editor” to express yourself? We welcome submissions on any topic for Voices of St. Charles Parish. Write: editor@heraldguide.com. Be sure to include your full name, telephone number and address, and a photograph if you have one.
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