I have heard it said from various reputable - and not so reputable - sources, that we each have assigned to us an angel, whose chief occupation it is in life, rather - after life, is to keep a loving eye on us.  I hesitate to use the term "guardian angel," because honestly, how can we explain away the many pitfalls into which we all manage to stumble once in awhile?  For example, where was Mary Wall's angel when she fell off her kitchen ladder the other morning?  Mary lives just down the street.  Normally that is where she is.  Right now she is on 2-E in the hospital with a dislocated hip. Can't you just see her angel, if there are angels, sitting at the foot of Mary's bed whimpering, "Oh Mary, I  am so sorry.  I was watching the sunrise and did not see you get on that ladder."  Well now, I want to tell you, there wasn’t much that angel could have done anyhow, short of tying Mary to a chair.  I know Mary!  She's as stubborn as they come, and when she makes up her mind to do something, nothing is going to stop her, unless there's a bolt of lightning and an ethereal voice thunders down from the heavens. That sort of thing doesn't happen anymore, thanks to that hapless couple, Adam and Eve.  No, we are all more or less in charge of our own destinies.  We get to make our own decisions; therefore, when we make a bad choice, we must suffer the consequences.  Mary is 86 years old and is a bit unsteady on her feet.  She really shouldn't even think of climbing a ladder. 

            If indeed we each do have an angel at our elbow, or walking behind us, I like to think of that spiritual entity - I can't say him or her, because I really don't think they come in hims or hers.  They are just Angels.  I like to think of that spirit as an all-seeing, all-knowing protector.  A friend.  If I were grappling with a problem, searching for an answer, I could mull it over with my angel buddy, in private of course.  Otherwise, it would jeopardize my sanity, talking to a celestial creature who can’t be seen. 

            All of us have heard tell of the airline ticket holder who, through some quirk of fate, missed his flight, only to learn later that particular plane crashed and that there were no survivors.  What force or hidden hand intercepted, therefore saving that one fortunate soul?  Was it a angel?  Careful!  What about those who went down with the plane?  Where were their angels?  Smacks of favoritism, doesn't it?  No, I am not a skeptic.  What I am is a person who believes there's a time and place for all things.  A time of coming, and a time of going for each of us.  What do you think ? 

            If there are angels, and wouldn't if be wonderful if there are, I think they aren't necessarily guardian angels, but they sort of point us in the right direction - that still, small voice people refer to, but it is still our decision which direction we take. 

            Angels, or not, it's a comforting thought to believe we are not alone, and frankly, who is there to say that we aren't?