I was so scared but I would not admit it, as I sat in the coffee shop across from the Mayo Clinic. Tomorrow I would be a patient there, undergoing spinal surgery. The risk was high, but my faith was strong. Just weeks before, I sat through my father's funeral. My guiding light had been sent back to heaven -- "O heavenly Father, in my time of trial, send me an angel."
As I looked up, preparing to leave, I saw an elderly lady walking very slowly to the register. I stood behind her, admiring her flair for fashion -- a bright paisley dress of red and purple, a scarf, a brooch and a brilliant scarlet hat. "Excuse me, madam. I just must say what a beautiful woman you are. You've made my day."
She clasped my hand and spoke these words: "My sweet child, bless you, for you see, I have an artificial arm and a plate in the other, and my leg is not my own. It takes me quite some time to get dressed. I try to do my best, but as years go by, people don't seem to think it matters. You've made me feel so special today. May the Lord watch over and bless you, for you must be one of his little angels." When she walked away from me that day, I uttered not a word, for she had touched my soul in such a way that she could only have been the angel.
