Of Angels and Peace
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“We are each of us angels with only one wing, and we can fly only by embracing one another.” – author unknown.
As a Catholic child I was raised in the Church when Masses were still in Latin, and reverence was a mighty force. We were taught by the nuns that each of us has a guardian angel sent by God to watch over us and to keep us safe. We were to envision our angel sitting upon our shoulder, especially when we were afraid.
This certainly helped when I was convinced at the age of six that there were alligators under my bed! Inevitably I would call to my father, who then turned all the lights on in my room and held me by the hand as we looked under my bed together. No, there were no alligators. Back to bed I went, still unconvinced once the lights were out, but talking to my guardian angel until my eyes closed without fear, or perhaps by the enticement of exhaustion. When I became an adult and a fairly lapsed Catholic, there may have been an alligator in my bed, but that’s a story for another time.
These days, very much a grown-up and one who is at times bedeviled by changes all around, I find that I envision angels, guardian angels. They may not be upon my shoulder, but their essence, the spirit of them, is felt through words, deeds, and sometimes the quiet grace of their tolerance for me as I work through situations. We share bonds of friendship, some newly formed, and at least one that goes back years, now and was built on the phrase, “Pay it forward.” My love for these friends is abiding. Each one has a unique quality that sparkles in my mind. They are writers; they are poets, and one is an artist with a fancy flair for cupcakes! They give me a sense of peace, these angels do, and my heart is better for knowing they are in this world.
We were meant to be interdependent on this earth in sisterhood and brotherhood. “We are each of us angels with only one wing.” So if we are to survive, these guardian angels that were sent to us for strength are the very reason we can put our wings together and fly. We embrace one another and once again we fly, even if we do not know Latin.
Of Angels and Peace,
Someone once told me, “Used-to-be’s don’t count.” I have pondered this often and find that they do count. We are the sum of our life experiences.
I used to be an English and Speech teacher. There will always be a part of me that wants to teach. I used to be an Investigator, first for the government and later in my own private investigations business.
I will always probe beneath the surface of issues and people, looking for the gem-like quality hidden in the text of words and personae. Today I am a writer and all of the used-to-be’s are part of the continuum of this journey.
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Tags: alligator, alligators, askcherlock, author unknown, bonds, brotherhood, catholic child, Cher Ducombe, Cher Duncombe, cupcakes, enticement, exhaustion, flair, guardian angel, guardian angels, lapsed catholic, nuns, pay it forward, poets, quiet grace, reverence, sisterhood, tolerance
Ah I looooove this article, Sweet Cher. It’s true, there are angels walking these earth and for me, you are one of them ^_^ Big hugs from across the ocean. Xoxo!
Sweet TJ, to use a line from one of Paul Simon’s songs, ‘You have diamonds on the soles of your shoes’ and add sparkle wherever you go. You are a complete joy! A gazillion hugs to you from across the ocean. xoxoxo
Cher, you are definitely one of the angels in my life and I’m so happy to have you there. I love your post and your picture. Is that a Maxfield Parrish? He’s one of my all-time favorites. I saw an exhibition of his work at the PABA about 8 or 10 years ago.
Melody, thanks so much for your kind comment and for also being one of the angels in my life. The artist is actually Howard David Johnson. I fell in love with this the moment I saw it.
You are right Cher. No matter how self-reliant or independent we are we all need someone in our lives whom we can trust, ask advice and look to for some sort of guidance or just some wise words or support and vice versa. Well said indeed.
Garry, as one who tends to self-isolate at times, often from the bane of being shy (no, really!), I am always brought back to the reality that without people to trust in this world, we are bereft. Thanks so much for your comment.
Yes I agree we find strength in others who share our views and our ways of expression. Some of these ‘guardian angels’ are our fellow bloggers. Have a Happy Christmas.
Neil, the Internet has the very best and some of the worst in its cultural segue. I have been very fortunate to find the best of the best, many of whom are right here on this site. They are in many ways my guardian angels.
Wonderful to see you here and I wish you a Happy Christmas as well!
For more on Neil Killion, please read him at http://lifecycles-by-neil-killion.blogspot.com/
Cher,
If anyone knows about angels, it would be you.
Often I have spoken of “better angels”. It is my conviction, these abide within us. On rare occasions, we are graced with a better angel among us.
For my part, you fill that role with amazing grace.
May peace be upon you, Angel.
Larry
Larry,
There are some people who just move me to happy tears. You are one of them. It is so wonderful having you here.
My best to you always~
Cher