I Believe in Angels

It is so hard to know what’s real and what’s fictional these days. In our childhood, we are told to believe in Santa Claus, the tooth fairy, and the Easter Bunny. We are told not to talk to strangers. Yet our parents allow these strange characters to enter our homes and even our bedrooms while we sleep. Sure they leave presents at Christmas, money for lost teeth and candy at Easter. But isn’t it a bit hypocritical to ask me not to talk to strangers but yet, you Mom and Dad, the people I trust most, are allowing these “people” into my home year after year. And what about super heroes, I ask.

What exactly is a super hero? Is it someone who can leap tall buildings or shoot webs from his wrists? As children we believe these magical people we see on television, are heroes in every way. We don’t understand reality vs. made up. Sure as we get older there are “reality” t.v. shows. Who decides what reality is? Sometimes as a young adult, I watch these show amazed at what the writers and producers expect us to believe is real. If a man is so wonderful, then why exactly would he be on the Bachelor? And let’s not forget “Fear Factor”. Who in their right mind would eat live bugs or swim in animal feces? That’s anything but real!

So I ask myself, “Are angels real?” “I believe in angels, something good in everything I see”, an excerpt from an Abba song. I remember a time in my life where a truly saw an angel in action. Actually, it was reality with a super hero of a different kind. And it happened right in my own home.

A few years ago we were celebrating Father’s Day at my parent’s house. Dinner was good, a good old fashioned cook out. I remember looking at my mom as she was asking my Papa if he was ok. I then looked over at my Papa and within seconds he was slumping over the table and heading for the floor. Everyone jumped. My mom called 911. While the phone was on her ear, my dad ran to my papa, lifted him from the seat he was now falling from and placed his arms around him. Within seconds my Papa was fine and the sparerib that was once to be the cause of his demise, was now dislodged and he was breathing on his own. Sure, the ambulance came and the EMT’s evaluated my papa. He was fine and didn’t need to go to the hospital.

Yes, I saw this angel in action. My dad was my Papa’s angel that day. He saved his life. I believe this was my first experience of seeing a real angel because I believe in what I saw. I can’t always tell fact from fiction, but I do know that angels are real and I have one of them living in my home. My dad is not only a “Super” hero but an angel, as well.