Dear Friends,

Angels come in many different forms to guide us, to protect us, to empower us and give us hope and faith in a world that is almost always trying to bend our faith and bring us down. Angels are always around us, from the very second we are incarnated into this life, until our very last breath - Angels are even with us when we make our inevitable journey Home, or to The Other Side. Just because you may not be able to see Angels like some of us, certainly does not mean that they do no exist. They are constantly around you, during times of celebration, times of sadness, times of potential danger to safeguard you and love you and give you constant strength and enlightment, whether you need it or not. When it comes to being psychic and spiritual, Angels have been a big part in my every day life. I find it very comforting during uneasy times to read true stories on how Angels have helped us gather our emotions and keep on keeping on. If you have an angel story that you hold very dear, I'd love to read it. I'd also like to post some Angels stories to this section of the website.  Please feel free to fill out the form below and share your Angel Stories!
Love, Light & Peace to you, Christopher

ANGEL STORIES


LAST PAGE UPDATE: February 5, 2008

Thank you Jo Shannon for sending this in:

Our 14 year old dog, Abbey, died last month. The day after she died, my 4 year old daughter Meredith was crying and talking about how much she missed Abbey. She asked if we could write a letter to God so that when Abbey got to heaven, God would recognize her. She dictated and I wrote:

Dear God,

Will you please take special care of our dog, Abbey? She died yesterday and is in heaven. We miss her very much. We are happy that you let us have her as our dog even though she got sick. I hope that you will play with her. She liked to play with balls and swim before she got sick. I am sending some pictures of her so that when you see her in heaven you will know she is our special dog. But I really do miss her.
Love, Meredith Claire

P S: Mommy wrote the words after Meredith told them to her.

We put that in an envelope with two pictures of Abbey, and addressed it to God in Heaven. We put our return address on it. Then Meredith stuck some stamps on the front (because, as she said, it may take lots of stamps to get a letter all the way to heaven) and that afternoon I let her drop it into the letter box at the post office. For a few days, she would ask if God had gotten the letter yet. I told her that I thought He had. Yesterday there was a package wrapped in gold paper on our front porch. Curious, I went to look at it. It had a gold star card on the front and said "To Meredith" in an unfamiliar hand. Meredith took it in and opened it. Inside was a book by Mr. Rogers, "When a Pet Dies". Taped to the inside front cover was the letter we had written to God, in its opened envelope (which was marked Return to Sender: Insufficient address). On the opposite page, one of the pictures of Abbey was taped under the words "For Meredith." We turned to the back cover, and there w
as the other picture of Abbey, and this handwritten note on pink paper:

"Dear Meredith,
I know that you will be happy to know that Abbey arrived safely and soundly in Heaven! Having the pictures you sent to me was such a big help. I recognized Abbey right away. You know, Meredith, she isn't sick anymore. Her spirit is here with me--just like she stays in your heart--young and running and playing.
Abbey loved being your dog, you know. Since we don't need our bodies in heaven, I don't have any pockets!-- so I can't keep your beautiful letter.I am sending it to you with the pictures so that you will have this book to keep and remember Abbey. One of my angels is taking care of this for me. I hope the little book helps. Thank you for the beautiful letter. Thank your mother for sending it. What a wonderful mother you have! I picked her especially for you. I send my blessings every day and remember that I love you very much. By the way, I am in heaven but wherever there is love, I am there also.
Love, God and the special angel who wrote this after God told her the words."
As a parent and a pet lover, this is one of the kindest things that I've ever experienced. I have no way to know who sent it, but there is some very kind soul working in the dead letter office. Just wanted to share this act of compassion.

Thank you to Spiritualistic Animal Healer Diana for sending this in:

Something wonderful happened to me yesterday and I wanted to share it with you. 

As you know, my job takes me everywhere and yesterday was no exception.  I was in Conroe, TX which is about 30 miles to the west of where I live in New Caney.  I had received a request to check on a cat who was having behavior problems and so I did a home visit.  I found Snowbell in a noisy, un-cat friendly environment and the owners and I decided that she should come to the Sanctuary for some R & R and some hands on therapy.  She is doing outstandingly well by the way.  She is declawed, solid white with one blue eye and one green eye.  She will be easy to place when it comes time to adopt her out and I'm certain that there is someone out there just for her.

Anyway, Snowbell and I were in my old '82 chevy silverado pickup (with no spare tire).  I had just pulled onto Highway 105 and the turn off to the farm road that takes us home was in sight.  Highway 105 is a 6 lane road with a center turn lane and traffic was cruising along at 70+ mph. 

I was in the left lane just over a hill and I heard what sounded like a gunshot.  As it turned out, the right front tire on my pickup literally exploded.  The pickup immediately started bucking and pulling to the right into the traffic in the other lane.  I wrestled the steering wheel and somehow kept us in our lane and came to a stop.  I looked in the rearview mirror and said, "Oh God, please don't let anyone hit us!"  I put the flashers on and noticed a brand new Chevrolet pickup behind me with flashers on.  Apparently the driver had seen the tire blow out.  I knew I had to get us off the road so I put on the turn signal. No one would let us over to the shoulder, so I started easing the truck into the traffic toward the shoulder.  The driver behind me saw what I was doing and blocked traffic with his vehicle so I could get us over to the side of the road.  When we were safely on the shoulder, I stepped out to thank the driver who had helped me.  He was a little old man with
  white hair dressed in jeans, a white shirt and casual shoes; had a slight bow to his shoulders.  He asked me if I was all right - when I said yes, just scared, he asked me if the cat I was transporting was all right too.  (At this point, I didn't even realized he could not have known I had a kennel in the seat beside me.)

He told me I should move the vehicle forward a few feet and to the right to be safely away from the traffic.  He asked if I had someone to help me and I told him that I had just called my husband and he was on his way.  The man was very pleasant and very normal.  We chatted for a few minutes and he got in his vehicle to leave.    I watched him pull away, he did a u-turn to go back in the direction I had just come from.  When that new Chevy topped the hill where my tire exploded, instead of going over it, the truck and driver just disappeared into thin air. 

As strong as my faith is, I was in awe.  I stood there completely dumbfounded.  Then I realized he had asked me about Snowbell and could not have known she was with me.  You can draw your own conclusions, but in my mind there is only one.  There is no doubt in my mind that man who helped us was an Angel.

Thank you Bobbi Hudson for sending this one in:

Angels with paws and Angels of light 
each surround us with love day and night.
A bark, a meow and an unseen presence
provide reassurance when life is rough
we are always unconditionally loved.

This morning when the Lord opened a window to
Heaven, he saw me, and he asked: My child, what is your greatest wish for today? I responded: "Lord please, take care of the person who is reading this message, their family and their special friends. They deserve it and I love them very much". The love of God is like the ocean, you can see its beginnings but not its end. ANGELS EXIST, but some times, since they don't all have wings we call them FRIENDS, SUCH AS YOU. 
May GOD bless! Let's praise Him for His Guiding Hand, and, as we run, let's always remember it was God who taught us to walk.

A new poem by a great soul! Ms. Anella sent in this gem! AnKauffman@comcast.net  (Words from Anella - Several days ago I had a lovely dream about my son.  He has inspired me to write a poem from  him.  I don't really understand how that happens so I just tried to be open & write what came to me this morning.  I don't understand this part either...but I am inspired to send a copy of this poem to you.  So, once again, I am going with the flow.  In my heart I believe my son wanted to send a message to those of us who continue to love him so very much.  Keep in mind that I am not a poet!  :)  But the poem comes from my heart through the inspiration of my dear son, Tim.  Thank you for allowing me to share this special poem with you)

I’ll Always Be There With You

To some I am forgotten,

To others, just the past,

But to those who loved and cared for me

My memory will always last.

Please remember I’ll always be there with you,

So watch the sky at night.

Find the brightest star that’s gleaming

That’s my halo shining bright.

You’ll see me in the morning frost

That glazes your windowpane.

That’s me! In the blooming flowers and sparkling streams,

And I’ll be dancing in the rain.

When you feel a breeze across your face

From a gentle wind that blows,

That’s me! Remember I am close by

And planting a kiss on your nose.

When you see children playing

And your heart feels a little tug…

That’s me! I am right beside you and

Giving you a big hug!

So, Dad please don’t look so sad, and

Mom please don’t cry.

Dear Brothers, I am so proud of you.

I have never left your side.

Remember I am always there with you,

And when your work is done,

I’ll be there to welcome you back again

To your eternal home.

Until we meet again in Heaven…

Love & Prayers ~ Tim

 

 

Written by a loving inspiration from Timothy Kauffman

2/13/79 ~ 11/19/04

By Anella Kauffman 4/23/05

 

 

Thank you rlmayleinsurance@sbcglobal.net for sending me this. ~C~

Dear Christopher, I am writing you to tell you about my life. I am 30 years old and my friends and family know me as Rick. Over the years probably a decade or so, I have continuosly seen animals mostly cats, I would be driving along and all of a sudden a cat crosses across my car. At least a thousand times. I have never hit one and they always look at me as if they are protecting me. Last year my lady and I split for good. Since then I have suffered from depression, anxiety, loneliness, yet always there is this light in my mind that makes me feel better. I still see cats, but I also now see people. It has started happening every day here recently. Please do not think I am crazy or schizophrenic. I am not. I am very well gathered and put together. At every avenue of my life, it is as if I can do no wrong. People see it, I feel it, No matter how hard I have tried just to prove that I am not perfect, I am not allowed to do wrong. Something comes over me, and it stops. I am looking for my soulmate. I think she is either in the far west or far east, I am not sure yet. Please understand, I do not want a reading at this time. I can see things with my own abilities. But I am scared as to what is to become of the world very soon. I do not think that people are paying attention to the signs that are there. I believe my purpose here is starting to unfold.

Another gem sent in by dsommer@frontiernet.net

I am 45 miles south of home and even though it had rained all day and the parkway is flooded, I am not thinking about my drive home from work. It is my time to relax. I decide to stop by a clothing store to shop. It is 6:00 p.m. and my husband should be picking up our two year old daughter from the baby sitter right about now. I Search through the racks of clothing, expecting the perfect top to miraculously jump out at me. Maybe I will see an aura of light around it or it will grab my attention by falling to the floor. When it doesn't happen I ask myself, "What is it I am looking for?" I know the answer isn't even remotely related to clothing. I am looking for peace in this harried life of work and motherhood. Sometimes I wish I didn't have to work and sometimes I wish I didn't have a child. The limit is six pieces of clothing in the dressing room. I quickly snatch six tops, and on my way in I am handed a shiny red piece of plastic with a large 6 inscribed on it. I undress and proceed to look at my reflection in the dressing room mirror. Disgust. I collect all six tops and fasten them to their original hangers. As I exit, I turn over five pieces to the attendant. I approach the cashier and gently place my solitary selection, a soft black cotton top, on the counter. Black is my favorite color. It is strong but doesn't call attention to itself. "What took you so long; I've been waiting for you all night!" the soulful, middle-aged cashier states. I glance around not knowing how to respond, wondering if maybe she is speaking to someone behind me. That's when I notice there are only a few other customers in the entire store. "Is that all you found after coming out on such a terrible night?" she asks. "Yes, I feel fat today and nothing else looked good on me." The cashier responds, "Ask the Lord to help you loose weight; ask him to help you avoid the temptation of chocolate; ask him to help you find peace...he always answers prayers...You can do anything you set your mind to with the good Lord's help!" And she continues, "Never be fearful, the Lord watches over all of us, but you must ask for help when you need it!" she triumphantly whispers. I am mystified! I give a long hard look at this person, who is giving me information about myself and then dismiss her as a religious zealot with an active imagination. Her advice sounds like a good idea in theory, and much less effort than dieting. "Okay, I'll give it a try" I reluctantly reply. She very quickly responds "You MUST leave now. Your family needs you­­they are waiting for you! Drive carefully, the roads are bad and it's hard to see. Good night." I leave the store and as I approach my car I attempt to look through the pitch black drizzle toward the storefront window but the cashier is nowhere in sight. Glancing at my watch, illuminated by the interior car light, I sense a knot of apprehension in the pit of my stomach and feel that something is terribly wrong. My parents live about five minutes north of here, so I drive through the soupy fog to use their phone. It is now 7:30 and John must to be home, but when I call, the answering machine picks up instead of my husband's warm voice. I phone the baby sitter, Barbara, hoping to learn more. She is surprised to hear my voice. "Aren't you with John? You didn't know he was in a car accident?" she asks. My heart is pounding wildly and my hands are trembling in fear. "It happened on his way here. He is fine but the car is totaled." The tow truck driver brought him to her house she tells me, where he and my daughter waited for my brother to pick them up. Now they are waiting for me at my brother's house which is only a few miles from her. I quickly say farewell to my parents and head towards the parkway using the back streets. It is dark and misty. The roads are wet although the drizzle has subsided. Lost in my thoughts of apprehension I hear a loud thud as the front passenger wheel sinks into a deep pot hole. And then the sound we all dread...thump, thump, thump. On top of all this a flat tire! I am on the verge of tears but remember what the cashier had said "Ask him to help you and he will". I sit in my car on the side of the road with my hazard lights on and decide the most logical thing to do is to walk to the nearest house and ask the occupants if I may use their telephone to call my father. The homeowners are kind and helpful. My father drives over to help me and we put the inadequate spare tire on the wheel. In light of the distance I must drive, he suggests going to Sears, which is down the road, to get a new tire. We wait in Sears for an hour. It gives me time to calm down and accept the situation. Keeping safely to 40 mph I arrive an hour later to rescue my husband and child. I have never been so happy to see them as I am today. I hug them with all of the strength I have left as I think about what could have been, and I feel truly blessed. My beautiful daughter, who is strapped in her car seat, points up to the sky. "The moon, the moon! she exclaims. "Yes, it's a marvel, look how it shines through the darkness!" I look up towards the heavens and wonder if that soulful cashier at the clothing store was really an Angel. How did she know I love chocolate? How did she know my family was waiting for me? How did she know?

I have seen 

 

 

I have sit in a woods …. On a cool fall morning, and smelt the freshly fallen leaves that become my carpet.

I have seen the circles of life exposed on a newly fallen tree and felt the cool sap on my fingers ….

Yes, I have seen.

 

I have lain on the damp sand and heard the ocean waves rush to shore and depart again.

I have smelled the salty and fragrant waves as I watched the sun slowly sink into ocean with a fiery orange glow and felt small in the presence of greatness.

Yes, I have seen

 

I have sat upon the top of a mountain on a sheet of pine needles and watched the sun arise from a distant valley. I have listen to the eagles call for me to pay attention and the wind caress my skin to show me I was experiencing a miracle …

Yes, I have seen

 

Yes, I have seen more than most yet less then some …

And stored each experience in my very spirit.

With countless experiences, I can recall most in vivid detail

I stored with each memory the smell, touch, feel, sound and sight

Of all I experienced

 

A treasure chest filled with experiences that left me breathless

Are within my reach so I can pull from it and relive the miracle

Of that day, that second of my life that enrich my being

Therefore, I can pull them out and experience them repeatedly

 

When a day comes upon me that is filled with strife

Or a day emerges filled with complications and emotional turbulences

I reached into the treasure chest of my life

And know I am blessed because …. I have seen

 

Rhiannon Waits …. 2003

 

 

 

At times in my life when things pile up on me I seek out people, and places that might feed my spiritual side.  I was disappointed in the members of my church when one of my children had a brain tumor.  It was posted in the bulletin, my neighbors all knew me well, yet during my time of need a Lady was placed in my path at the medical facility.  My daughter was to have an MRI, and the machine was not working.  I noticed she was reading a Bible right in the waiting room, and this made me curious what religion she was.  She invited me to attend her church, and I truly had a spiritual awakening.  Ladies prayed for my daughter, and as I stepped up to the alter I felt all the negative leaving me.  I accepted an invite to the Pastor's home to have a dinner with this new, warm couple.  We talked, and they shared some stories with me about perhaps an angel watching over them at times. 
 
After dinner the Pastor went to the church for the regular service, and His wife who I will call sister "S" told me she wanted to have me stay there at the house for a special prayer.  We knelt down and she prayed the prayer for a long time.  After  stopping in at their house I went on a major shopping trip to take advantage of double, and triple coupons.  My sons were visiting their father which was extremely rare.  So when I returned home my lights were on.  I had recently started dating a man, and he had broken into my home.  I did not know he was inside until I went inside because my teenage daughter would let herself in to visit me at different times as well.  He was literally foaming at the mouth.  He grabbed my arm and, demanded that I find a scarf to tie around his head.  He had no right to be there, and he seemed angry with me.  Finally he allowed me to bring in my groceries, but I could only put the perishable items away.  He told me to sit on the couch.  The television was on, and he played the answering machine.  He started accusing me of dating another man.  He had taped a show off the television and now thought it was a message left for me.  I tried to remain calm. I told him it was time to leave, and then he got aggressive as he pushed me onto the floor.  He informed me he was going to have sex with me, and would be spending the night.  I had such peace knowing, and feeling I would be guided as well as being protected.  I told him I needed to go to the bathroom, and he could wait outside the door for me.  I went inside and asked for God to reveal to me what to do.  I was given a message to just walk out of the main door.  So when I came out I told him I had forgotten something in my car.  It is now about 1 am.. and living in the suburbs not many people are up.  As I walked outside I saw a patrol car driving right down to the end of my driveway as if I called 911 directly.  I told the officer You are My Angel.. and to remove the man from my house.
 
About a decade later I bumped into this man.. and he asked me if I had a secret line directly to the police department in that old house I lived in.. Having Angels in our lives when we need them is better than a direct line to the police department... I have learned to have the faith that our angels will be there for me when I need them. 
 
I hope you like the story..
 
Elizabeth     PTanner798@aol.com
 
 
"Angels"
When I have no one to turn to
And I am feeling kind of low
When there is no one here to talk to
And no where I really want to go
I search deep within myself
It is the love inside my heart
That lets me know my Angels are there
Even though we are many miles apart
A smile then appears upon my face
And the sun begins to shine
I hear a voice, so soft and sweet
Saying, 'Everything will be just fine'
It may seem that I am alone
But I am never by myself at all
Whenever I need my Angels near
All I have to do is call
An Angel's love is always true
On that you can always depend
They will always stand behind you
And will always be your friend
 
--------------------------------

When the earth was young
And the air was sweet
And the mountains kissed the sky
In the great beyond, with its many paths
Man and nature lived side by side

In this wilderness of danger and beauty
Lived three brothers, bonded by love
Their hearts full of joy
They ask now for guidance
Reaching out to the skies up above

Great Spirits of all who lived before
Take our hands and lead us
Fill our hearts and souls
With all you know
Show us that in your eyes
We are all the same
Brothers to each other
In this world we remain truly
Brothers all the same

Give us wisdom to pass to each other
Give us strength so we understand
That the things we do
The choices we make
Give direction to all life's plans

To look in wonder
At all we've been given
In a world that's not always as it seems
Every corner we turn
Only leads to another
A journey ends, but another begins

Great Spirits of all who lived before
Take our hands and lead us
Fill our hearts and souls
With all you know
Show us that in your eyes
We are all the same
Brothers to each other
In this world we remain truly
Brothers all the same

 
 
susandolly1@msn.com sent in this beautiful story!
 
It all begins when i was six or seven,

I was always the odd one out, never fitted in, new i was talking to someone
in my head but didn't know who it was at that age, I had a mother and a
stepfather as my natural father lived away from us, I have two brothers and
a sister, the love was for them allways, as i say i didn't fit in.  I can
remember saying to my mum once, "I saw nanny last night", don't be stupid,
and shut up you witch is the reply i recieved from my mother.  I looked at
her and thought, i am not stupid, nor am i lying, i did see her, i did!!

From this day on, she would hit me all the time, havent' a clue why most of
the time, but it didn't matter cos as i lay on my bed tending my pain, i
would here the voice, "It will all be allright", one time, my grandad came
out to stop her from hitting me, as i was being kicked around the floor I
wet myself for the fear, He shouted at her to let me alone, she shouted at
him and pushed him, i got up and from nowhere came this inner streangth,
"Get off of him" and i pushed her away from him, "nan is watching you" I
said, and she called me the spawn of the devil,

I never told her again of my contacts, i thought it better not to.

I left home at 16 to go live with my dad, i had ran away often enough so mum
packed my clothes and dad come to get me.

I had a reasonably good time living with my dad, but was unhappy cos i
couldnt here the voices anymore.

I left his house when i was 18 thought i new it all, met a man that i
thought would look after me, then the beatings started again, LOL i can
remember thinking this is the way of life!

I put up with him beating me for four yrs, then all of a sudden as i had
said to myself, there must be more to life than this, and next thing i was
hearing the voices again, I dont think they had gone away, just wanted me to
try to find myself again.

I had had a daughter with this man, but to get him out of my life, i had to
sacrifice her and let him take her away from me, I was heartbroken, he had
made the courts believe how much of a terrible mother i was, but i knew the
truth, and so did my angels.

I met a really nice man from then, he is a wonderfull man, we have had four
children since, one of our children charlie only stayed on this earth plain
for eight short weeks, and although he was so very sick and it broke our
hearts to see him so poorly, I wouldn't change one single day, not one!!
The voices became stronger after his passing, and i knew the angels were
with me, i just knew it, they are with me all the time now, Charlie sent me
a white feather last week, (march) This is the best validation i could hope
for.

So you see, even the worst of lives can come good, and the angels are there
for you no matter what the age you are, and even if you are made to supress
your knowing like i was, they will allways come back to you, even though
they didnt really leave.

I believe my angels stayed quiet for my sake to save me from my mothers
hands,

God bless one and all angels, and thank you for being my best friend

I hope you do publish this story for all to read, I have never gone into
detail like this before and i am sobbing now, but so very glad i did it, God
bless you.
 
The Night The Angels Took You
© By Leona M. Infantino

The night the angels took you
to live with them above-
the world we live in down below
lost someone truly loved.
I know we were extremely blessed
when home with mom you came-
the first thing that we learned of you
'Buster' was your name.
Rowdy and rough, you made us laugh
and sometimes made us cry-
you were the youngest of us all
giving anything a try.
Through the years you grew into
the name that you were given-
a name that surely without doubt
came from the wings of heaven.
We were the same, you and I
from looks to our expressions-
we did our share causing mom and dad
day-to-day frustration.
Two black sheep, among the five
we were so much the same-
I laid the path with mom and dad
and then along you came.
You lived your life the way you chose
on the edge, some people said-
No matter where you were or what you did
you chose the life you led.
Our family and friends were there
as we wept and cried-
I know God was there watching too
with the angels by his side.
Some would say that can't be so
some say it isn't true-
but I know God was watching
The night the Angels took you.
 
 
Angel on Flight 1641
A Story by Ilsa Troge
Everything had happened so fast. The ad in the magazine detailing the weekend seminar in Sedona. The call to my travel agent. Flight reservations to Phoenix. Car rental arrangements for the hundred and twenty miles I'd have to drive. Motel accommodations. Getting time off work during out busiest season. And finding I had enough money to afford this spur of the moment trip. This was certainly out of character for me. I never did anything on the spur of the moment. I detested the monotony of car trips. My immediate "comfort zone" never takes me more than thirty-five miles in any one direction. But here I was, sitting in seat 25D on Northwest flight 1641, waiting for take-off.

My thoughts were interrupted by a heated discussion in the seats next to me. The occupants, an elderly couple, were having a disagreement about seating. They wound up moving across the aisle to other seats, only to create more commotion when the "rightful" occupants of those seats showed up. One of the young men took the window seat in my row, leaving the middle seat between us vacant. I don't know where his companion ended up, as my thoughts were now focusing on something altogether different.

Were the walls of the plane really closing in on me? Why was it so difficult for me to catch my breath? I felt like screaming, but couldn't. My heart was beating so fast and loud I felt it would jump out of my chest at any moment! All I could think of was getting OFF THE PLANE! - but my legs would not move - and the aisle was completely blocked by boarding passengers. What was I going to do? I just had to get off that plane.

I dug my fingernails into the armrests of my seat, as if this could somehow help me hold on to reality, but it only served to magnify the horror of the situation. How could I have been so incredibly stupid as to forget my fear of flying???

The last time I'd flown - seven years ago on a non-stop from Honolulu - the plane had taken a sudden drop in altitude too terrifying for words. Drinks, snacks, stewardesses and unbuckled passengers were sent flying. Even though the pilot assured us it was "just a little bit of unexpected turbulence," I'd vowed never to fly again. But here I sat, trapped, on a plane still sitting at the gate, scared witless.
My racing thoughts were interrupted by a calm voice asking if the seat next to me was taken. Without looking up, I nodded and mumbled something about my being a white-knuckle flyer.

The voice responded "I know," as baggage was being stowed in the overhead compartment. Was it really that obvious, I wondered.

As he seated himself I noticed we were both wearing pale purple shirts. How synchronistic, I thought, but said nothing, as I was still very much absorbed by my fear-of-flying mode. The next thing I knew he was prying my nails away from the armrest and gently took my hand to rest it between his. Under other circumstances I would've protested this obvious infringement of "my space" - but somehow this was different.

At first his words seemed to be coming from somewhere far away, and I could barely make them out. But it didn't take me long to tune-in to what he was telling me. He gave me a detailed rundown of what was going on in the cockpit, assured me of the safety of the plane, alluded to his innumerable trips on just this type of aircraft, explained each creak, bump, grind and shimmy the plane made - almost before it happened. I was still in no condition to respond verbally, so I just kept nodding, at once indicating I understood what he was saying as well as encouraging him to keep talking.

He ordered a glass of Chablis for each of us. I eagerly accepted and at last could feel myself relaxing. Once I got my wits about me, I noticed my rescuer was a very attractive man. He had a mischievous twinkle in his eye, and the most sincere smile I'd ever seen. Soon we were talking a mile-a-minute about practically every subject under the sun, and in what seemed like no time at all, the pilot was giving us our landing instructions.

I thanked the helpful stranger for his kindness, and as we parted in the terminal, shared an embrace only friends of long-standing would find comfortable.

In a moment he was gone. Only then did it occur to me that I didn't even know his name. I returned to the plane and asked the stewardess what the name of the gentleman seated next to me was. She looked at her manifest and with a puzzled expression said, "But ma'am, there was no one seated next to you. The manifest shows that seat flew empty on this flight."

A chill ran down my spine, and I smiled knowingly. It didn't really matter if I didn't know his name. I'd seen Highway to Heaven and Touched By An Angel enough times to believe the TV characters just might have real-world counterparts. And besides, who else would know the intricacies of flying better than the ANGEL seated next to me on Northwest Flight 1641?