The Angel On My Shoulder

During 1990 my job required that I travel considerably.

My sister in-law bought me a tiny guardian angel to wear.

I thanked her for her thoughtfulness and placed the angel on my collar each morning.

Time passed, I changed jobs and my mother became terminally ill.  She eventually went to live in a nursing home.  She had withstood five cancer surgeries, and a quadruple by-pass.  But now the cancer was back and it was winning. My sisters and I went to visit several times a week and then daily as she grew weaker. I received a call at work one day that she had taken a turn for the worse and we should probably come.  So I dashed by my house, grabbed an overnight case I kept packed and headed to her bed side.

As we reached Mother's room she was sleeping, but woke long enough to realize we were all there.  While waiting in the room the home had provided for us, I slipped into more comfortable clothing.  When Mother woke we returned to her room.  She lay quietly talking to us when suddenly she asked, "Where is your pen?"  I didn't know what she meant and asked if she needed to write something. "No, no, your pin". We finally figured out she meant the tiny angel pin I had been wearing on my suite collar.

I retrieved the pin and brought it to her, asking if she wanted me to pin it to her gown or her pillow case. "No pin it on you" was her reply. I pinned the angel on my shirt and asked if that was better.  "It is fine, now what about your sisters?" I tried to convince her they could share my angel, but she insisted they should have their own.  She very firmly stated we were to go to supper and while we were out I was to buy pins for them.

So we went as she instructed.  I returned with four pins.  Two for my sisters, one for my sister-in-law and one for my Mother.  She would not allow us to pin the angel on her.  Telling us that she didn't need it because she was going home soon.

For that next two days when we would stand at her bedside and talk she would reach up and touch our angels, rubbing them with her finger while she spoke.  On the third day my Mother passed away.

We pinned the tiny angel on her dress and she was buried with it.  To this day I wear an angel on my collar.  Not for protection, but to remind me always how much my Mother loved us.  It brings me peace to touch my angel when things are not going well, or when I just feel blue.  It always makes me feel closer to her and brings me great comfort.

Please always remember how important the little things in life are.  That the smallest gesture of love or friendship may bring you more comfort and joy in life than you could ever imagine.

 

I was fifteen when my Father passed away and my Mother  was left with three children to raise.  I had wonderful parents, who were devoted to each other.  When Mother passed away  I wrote the following poem to be read at her funeral...

 

Down Life's Path

Down the path of life the walked

Sometimes they stopped and would talk

To share a laugh and a loving smile

Then he walked that one last mile

She was left here all alone

To raise a family and make a home

A job that should be shared by two

She did the best that she could do

Today we gather with one another

To say ~Goodbye~ to our Dear Mother

Even though it's sad we will be

Our Father now we know she will she

For up in Heaven they will stand

And once again walk hand and hand

© Mattie Herald

This poem was recently selected for publication with Poetry.Com

In their book  The Best Poems and Poets of 2003

All poems are published under the pen name Mattie Deaton

 

Friends are a gift from God...

For Terri Wagner  1955~2000

God called an angel home.  She was forty-five years old.  I will miss her laughter and her smile. I will miss her support and unconditional friendship and love.  I will always thank God for sharing her with me, even though it was only for a while.  Her battle is now over and she will rest in peace as she walks with the angels on high.