My sweet angel friend

Today an angel came to visit me. My daughter had an appointment this morning and then I hurried home to get her and the little neighbor boy off to school and I had just gotten home and was putting the little one's down for a nap when there was a knock at my door. I peeked out the upstairs window and there was a mini van that I had never seen before in my driveway. I was very hesitant to open the door. That time of day, it's always someone selling something. I cautiously opened the door and there stood an angel. She had her arms full of Christmas gifts for my children. She kissed me on the cheek and asked if I was allowed to talk to her. I told her to come in.

She is my not-related-in-any-way-but-we-have-a-common-relative-so-I-call-her-grandma-anyways friend. (Her son was married to my hubby's father's sister-yes, that makes them hubby's uncle and aunt. Hubby's uncle and aunt were killed in a head-on collision by a kid high on drugs 4 years ago. They left 3 young adult children, 2 unmarried at the time. They lived 1/2 block from us so we were close to them and to their children.) To avoid all the nasty details, there has been some horrible tension between her family and my in-laws, and Hubby and I have been caught in the middle. In an effort to keep peace, we have let the relationship between that family fade. When Grandma came over today she said, "I do not have as long as other people do to mend relationships so I am here today to ask for your forgiveness. I cannot die knowing that our relationship could have been mended while I was alive." She is 75 years old. I hope that she lives forever!

She took us to McDonald's and we ordered off the $1 menu. We laughed so hard together and we cried together. She had no idea how much I really needed her to come and spend the afternoon with me. She said that she was walking out the door to come when she chickened out. As she walked back inside her house, she had a strong feeling that she shouldn't put our visit off one more day, that today was a good day to come. Today was a perfect day for her to come. I'm so glad that she did. I loved being with her. When I turn 75 I want to be like her. She brings my children gifts every year, always a gingerbread house kit and some books. She reads with the kids and plays with them and makes everyone fall in love with her. Her kindness is contagious. She has the biggest heart. I wish that I could just follow her around for a while and have her teach me how to be so wonderful.

She was telling me stories from her life of the different times that other people have been there to be her angels. Some of her stories were so funny! Some were very spiritual. I was touched by everything she said. She told me about a sign that she saw on a church once that said, "There is no such thing as coincidences, just times when God chooses to remain anonymous." The other times he sends us angels and she has no idea, but today, she was my angel!

Thank you angel Grandma for one of the best afternoon dates ever!