MEETING AN ANGEL
Nina was in high spirits. The challenging delivery had gone well, and today she had helped bring a new resident into the world. Nina worked as an obstetrician-gynecologist at a maternity clinic, and after a taxing shift, she was eager to head home.
Her hands were weighed down by a handbag and a bag of groceries. Her husband had tried to teach her to drive so she wouldn’t rely on buses whenever he was away on business trips, but she just couldn’t bring herself to do it. She was terrified—absolutely petrified.
The thing is, as a child, Nina had narrowly escaped being hit by a car. She still remembers that looming horror vividly. Honestly, even as a passenger, she feels uneasy. Drive herself? Never!
Tomorrow was her day off, and it was also Nina’s 40th birthday. She didn’t plan to celebrate it, holding firm to her superstitions. Instead, she wanted a quiet gathering with family at home.
The bus stop was just a short walk away, but Nina realized how very tired she was. Suddenly, she slipped (as these things often happen unexpectedly), her foot slid sideways, and she, along with her bags, tumbled into a snowbank! After congratulating herself on a soft landing, she pondered how best to get up with some dignity.
“Miss, are you hurt?” A voice spoke from behind her right shoulder. “Can’t get up? Here, take my hand!”
Who was offering to help? He seemed a decent-looking man, about Nina’s age, with a kind, calm face and a welcoming smile.
He effortlessly pulled Nina from the snow, helping to brush her down. “You’re always in such a hurry,” he remarked gently. His voice was so reassuring that she felt as though she had heard it before, but no, they had never met. She thanked him and got ready to leave.
“You’re really tired, Nina,” he said now, without a hint of a smile. His tone carried a concern that only someone close could have.
“I’ll rest over the weekend. Besides, it’s my birthday tomorrow,” Nina replied. The stranger smiled again.
“Happy Birthday! Let me give you a gift. Tonight, before bed, say, ‘Let tomorrow bring positive change to my life.’ And it surely will. Don’t forget!”
“I won’t,” Nina smiled.
The stranger waved goodbye and turned the corner just as her long-awaited bus arrived. Her house, as usual, was in disarray when she got home. The hallway was messy, the kitchen sink piled high with dishes. Her little dog Danny whined beside his empty bowl, giving her a reproachful look.
First things first, she fed Danny and took him out for a walk. Her daughter had found the half-frozen pup two years ago, carried him home, and promised to care for him, a vow that lasted about two weeks before the responsibility quietly shifted to Nina.
How much time had passed? She finally finished her household chores. Luckily, no one was around to nag her about dinner being unprepared. Her husband was away on a business trip out of town, and her daughter was visiting her mother. They were coming over tomorrow. Her husband had already warned her he couldn’t make it. She figured she’d have to prepare some festive dish tomorrow, but for now, she could enjoy a quiet evening alone.
Solitude is a luxury—no one pesters you with their issues or burdens you with a foul mood. It’s nice to enjoy the quiet, listen to music, or read a book… But all she wanted was to sleep.
As she was drifting off, she remembered the stranger’s advice. Without fully understanding why, she whispered, “May tomorrow bring positive change to my life.”
Early the next morning, a knock on the door came as a complete surprise. Her husband stood there. Surprisingly, rather than his usual grumpy expression, he was beaming at her like a polished coin.
“Hello, my sunshine,” he said tenderly.
Nina was shocked. It had been ages since she had heard such words from him. She used to get upset over his lack of affection, but eventually, she got used to it. And now, just as she had grown accustomed to his indifference… Well, well! He seemed sober, and he held a sizable gift bag.
“Happy Birthday! I missed you so much, managed to wrap things up and rushed back. They’ll finish without me,” he said in that same gentle voice. Nina stepped back in disbelief. He entered, set down the bag, embraced her, and kissed her while muttering sweet nothings.
Where was the familiar grumbling and displeased demeanor? Nina’s amazement grew and grew. The long-forgotten feeling of happiness washed over her like a warm wave. Then the phone rang.
“Happy Birthday, Mom! You’re the kindest, most beloved, and beautiful! I’ll be there by lunchtime, and Grandma too. We have such a wonderful gift for you,” her daughter chirped.
Then her boss at the clinic called with birthday wishes and good news that she could finally take those three long-overdue days off. Then her friend, aunt, classmate, grateful patients…
Good fortune is quickly embraced. Nina started to feel as though things had always been this way, and an abundance of joy didn’t seem strange at all. In the evening, after seeing off the last of her guests, Nina took her dog for a walk in the nearby park.
The stranger from yesterday appeared out of nowhere, “Was it a good day, Nina? Happy Birthday!”
“Wait, how do you know my name? We’ve never met, if I’m not mistaken,” Nina asked directly.
“We’ve known each other for 40 years, Nina. It’s hard to comprehend, but please try. I’ve been with you since your very first day. I am your guardian angel.
Remember when you were five, and you ran onto the road after a ball? No one understands how that truck missed you. You had no chance to escape. No one saw how I carried you across the road, but let’s keep that between us.
And when you were a student at summer camp, and your group went swimming in an unfamiliar river, you twisted your ankle (my doing) and stayed behind. There was a dangerous whirlpool, and you would have gotten caught in it.
And yesterday, who settled you into the snowbank? If you’d fallen a minute earlier, you would have surely broken a leg.
I’m always helping you, quietly and discreetly. I will continue to stay by your side, that’s my duty. But…
It’s hard for me with you.
You love your husband, your daughter, your mother, your friends, your patients, but yourself?
You don’t love yourself!
You burden yourself with an impossible load. You utterly neglect yourself and naively expect love from others, but that’s not how it works! If you don’t love yourself, no one else will love you; they’ll just use you!
I broke protocol to appear before you to convey this message: you must love yourself!”
“You really know everything about me, but shouldn’t angels have wings?” Nina doubted.
“And what are you humans like? Always looking for the catch. Haven’t you noticed my broad coat?” He spread it open, turned to the side, and Nina saw folded wings. “And now, farewell! I must go,” he said, and faded into the mist of falling snow.
P.S.
“A fairy tale,” you might say, dear readers.
“A fairy tale,” I would answer, but there’s a hint of truth. Love yourself and be happy! I wish this for you with all my heart.
