I have just returned from a six week journey, one that will forever color the rest of my world. A phone call in mid April changed everything, but change is the constant in life so it should not have surprised me. A family member needed me who lived 2500 miles away, someone who has not asked me for anything except my love and so when the request for physical support came there was no question where I was going. It happens to all of us, our seemingly stable lives are blown apart due to illness, and the world goes on but we stop, because the pieces of our lives are scattered and we need to regroup in order to heal physically, emotionally and spiritually.

Last minute plans, plane tickets, a ride to the airport, house sitter, dog walker, anyone who can keep my tiny life simmering as I drop it all. It actually took three friends to cover my needs, three wonderful friends who did the mundane, the necessary, the daily ins and outs of my life in my absence.  They are Earth Angels in my time of need.  I am not use to asking for help as I am programmed to be the helper; this in itself was a lesson for me, to accept help, to feel gratitude, to realize the depths of their friendships, giving without complaint.  Truly Earth Angels.

I tried to keep my anxiety in check, sitting in the airplane bound for what I was unsure.  I prayed, I asked for guidance, strength, patience, compassion, and all those things that are never on sale at Target. The woman next to me occupied herself with her phone for most of the ride and when I finally broke the silence and introduced myself she replied. “Nice to meet you, I’m Angel”. I smiled despite my angst, of course she was.  In that moment I knew no matter what challenges were before me, my Angels were at my side.