The Face of an Angel

Many years ago, when my children were ages 10 and 6, I went
through a very trying time. I had just lost my husband of 7
years, to escape abuse. I managed to get a job with a nursing
home as an aide for the elderly and moved in with a "friend" to
share living expenses.

One afternoon, after work, I picked my girls up from the sitter,
and we went to the fair for the afternoon. It was quite late when
we returned home and the house was completely dark. I went to
unlock the door and found that my key wouldn't go in but halfway.
I kept trying for a few minutes while my oldest daughter went to
get a flashlight from the car. When she returned with it we found
somehow the lock had been "stuffed" with sunflower seed shells.
So we went around to the front door and tried to open it with the
same results. Thinking that one of the neighborhood children had
been up to no good, I really didn't give it much consideration.

I went around the house trying to find a window that had been
left open enough for me to boost my 10 year old through. No luck.
All was locked up tight. So I returned to the back door and broke
out a pane of glass and reached in and unlocked the door. Not
wanting the girls to pick up any of the glass in their shoes and
track it into the house, I told them to sit on the porch for a
minute while I swept up the glass. I grabbed the broom and
dustpan from behind the door and started sweeping up the glass.

I heard a car pull into the driveway and looked up to see two
policemen walking up to the door. They inquired what I was doing
and why I had broken into the house. I explained the matter to
them and showed them the door locks. They then asked me for proof
that I lived at that address, so I asked them to wait a minute
while I went to get my rent receipt and identification from
inside the house. I then, for the first time, opened the door
leading into the house itself.

Oh my, but I will never forget the shock of that moment. The
house was empty! Other than a few things remaining on the back
porch, everything was gone! I went through the house looking at
each room in complete disbelief. In a daze, I went back outside
where the officers were waiting and informed them there was
nothing left.

At this point they were not buying any of my story. I could tell
from their actions and tone of voice that they thought I was
breaking into an empty house for somewhere to sleep.

I couldn't for the life of me remember the name of the owner of
the house or her phone number. After several minutes of sitting
on the steps in shock, I remembered the neighbor across the
street was a good friend of the owners, and told that to the
police officers. I asked if I could go ask her for the number and
they informed me that the incident call had originated from that
address. I walked over with one of the officers while the other
stayed with my girls.

The neighbor was able to provide the owner's name and phone
number, so the officer made the call. The owner was quite shocked
to hear my story. As it turned out, my "friend" had been going
through an eviction process with the courts when I moved in with
her and had lost the case. She had been ordered to vacate the
premises by 10 am on that date. The court order had been issued
the same day I had paid her 1/2 of the rent and a deposit of
$300.00.

The owner was very kind and understanding but there was nothing
she could do. The house had been rented already and the people
were to move in the following weekend. She didn't press charges
against me for breaking and entering and told me not to worry
about the pane of glass I had broken since she had some extra
panes from a previous time.

The officers let me go and I went to gather my girls into the
car. They were both exhausted and cold. Also very frightened,
because they thought their mamma was going to jail. I put them in
the car and laid them on the back seat, covering them with my
coat. They fell asleep almost instantly.

I got into the car and drove away. I didn't go far though, before
I had to pull over because the tears took control. I couldn't
believe it!! Everything we owned was gone. I had used up all our
money moving in and paying my "friend" our share of costs. I had
about $11 to my name. And pay day was three days away. I knew
very few people in town, as we had just moved there recently.

I realized that I was exhausted myself and had to be at work at 6
am the next morning, so I drove to the city park and curled up in
the front seat to sleep. Needless to say, I overslept, and called
into work to apprise them of my situation. My supervisor was very
understanding, but the best she could do is see if payroll would
issue my wages early.

I went to sit back in the car with the girls until enough time
had passed to call back. I was talking to the girls, explaining
our situation to them so that they wouldn't be afraid. During
this time there was a "street person" with a shopping cart sort
of lingering nearby, looking in the garbage cans for aluminum
cans, bottles, and any other item that might bring him some cash.
I hadn't paid much attention to him, as I was used to "seeing"
these people without really seeing them. They were just part of
the background.

After 45 minutes or so had passed, I tried calling my supervisor
to find out what the verdict was, with no results. So, I decided
to get the girls something to eat for breakfast. We grabbed some
bread, lunch meat and chips and returned to the park -- for a
"picnic."

When we got there and I was again trying to call work, I noticed
that the "hobo" was not alone. He was with a small group of
others like him and they were passing a hat amongst themselves.

I, again, had no luck with my call so the girls and I grabbed our
bag of groceries and headed over to a picnic table. We set our
things down on the table and Tami (my 6 year old) told me she
needed to use the bathroom. So we walked to the restrooms--just a
few feet from where we were. We cleaned up a bit and returned to
the table. On the way back, I tried the phone again. This time, I
had success. I reached my supervisor and was informed that I
could pick up my check at 1 PM that afternoon. Such a relief!!

We sat down at the table and I was busy setting up our little
"picnic," when I heard a voice saying, "Ma'am, please excuse the
intrusion but... well... I couldn't help but overhear the
situation you are in, and well... me and the fellas took up a
collection for you and your little girls. It's not very much, but
maybe it'll help a little." I looked up at this man,--dirty,
needing a shave, and smelling a bit "ripe"--and saw the face of
an angel. I started crying. (Bawling... to be truthful.)

The man tried to hand me something like $30, probably a small
fortune to him and his friends. I folded his hand back over the
money and just hugged him as tight as I could. I told him, "Thank
you very much for your more than generous offer, but we are going
to be just fine." He didn't believe me at first, but I convinced
him that it was okay.

Later that afternoon I picked up my paycheck and rented a room
for the week, to give me and my girls a little time to work our
situation out. Then I went to the market and bought the makings
for a barbecue and off to that little park we went. It didn't
take us very long to find those gentlemen and invite them to join
us for lunch, which they did. I had a wonderful afternoon that
day, sitting there with those old "bums," singing songs while
they drummed on the aluminum park table, and just talking to
them. They had some of the most entertaining stories I've ever
listened to and they shared the dreams they once had. They shared
of themselves...from the heart.

As long as I live I will never forget that day, when God showed me
what true generosity and giving meant. When he showed me love 
comes from the most unexpected places, in the most unlikely way.
Those old men will live in my heart and memories forever, as the
richest people I ever knew, because they had enough Love to share
with a mother and her two daughters who would have never given
them the time of day.

That was the day, I saw the face of an angel, and forever changed
the way I view others.

 - Author Unknown
 

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