Angels All Around Us

My
alcoholic husband of 31 years was three years sober, thanks to AA, when he
abruptly decided our marriage was over. I was given no warning of this
momentous decision.

In fact, I was still expecting him to make the customary
Alcoholic Anonymous amends to me. What I got instead, was a hundred dollar bill
left on the kitchen counter, an old pair of his well worn shoes left sitting on
the back porch and an empty house to greet me when I came home from work that
unforgettable day.

Accepting
the fact that my husband was gone from me forever was practically inconceivable
to me. Our marriage had survived so much for so long; I truly thought nothing
could destroy it. I rejoiced in his sobriety every day and imagined us together
well into our golden years. We had even made plans to buy a recreational
vehicle when we retired so we could travel with our grandchildren.

Enter
into the picture the younger, attractive woman who also attended my husband’s
AA meetings.

As
you can imagine, I was devastated. My closest relatives lived hundred of miles
away and like many wives of alcoholics, I had no close friends. My first few
days alone were a blur and then there was a knock on my door. It was my
neighbor of twenty years whom I hardly ever spoke with except for a few
“hellos”. When I opened the door to her, all she asked was, “are you all
right?” and I immediately fell into her arms. From that moment on, until I was
completely healed, I was never without an angel.

I had
always heard there are angels all around us but I had never taken that
literally until they appeared to me. My concerned neighbor was only the first
of many such angels.

On a
lot of mornings, leaving for work, I would think there was no way I could make
the drive without falling apart. Those were the mornings another angel from the
neighborhood would be nearing my driveway on his morning walks. This angel had
also gone through a heartbreaking divorce and he would give me the needed words
of encouragement to get me on my way.

Co-workers
in my office also appeared as angels. Scriptures and cards of inspiration were
placed daily on my desk. Tissues were supplied anonymously and shoulders to
lean on were everywhere. Looking back, I realize I was so distraught that
someone probably had to correct my work behind me.

Appropriately
enough, there were angels supporting me in church and angels reemerging as
people I had encountered years ago. I was surrounded by these loving angels
until I was well enough to become an angel myself to others.

Today,
I am happily remarried to a wonderful man and my life is filled with joy and
contentment. However, I am always aware of the angels around me and hope there
are numerous others who now consider me their angel.