Got told I was an angel today - it made me cry

[nadine_mn]

So I have been looking forward to today for a month... there has been advertised at the local Lutheran church a craft sale and Scandanavian Tea for today, everytime we drive by the sign I got excited.

I am a very, very lapsed Catholic. My grandparents (who I have posted about at length in the past) were the most wonderful people on earth. My grandma was first generation born in the US (as was my grandpa - his family was from Mexico) - her parents came from Norway and Sweden to Minnesota. She was raised Lutheran and had to convert to Catholicism to marry my Grandpa. My grandparents died in 2008 and 2009 and left a huge whole in my heart. I give this little bit of info as to help understand the rest of this post.

I was at the craft sale today and was kinda overwhelmed with missing my grandma - seeing lefse being made, rosemaling demonstrated, all the crafts and then the smorgasbord of little sandwiches, swedish meatballs, soup etc. My grandma would have LOVED it and she would have been there with me explaining some of the traditional food etc. I was already getting a little choked up.

The food was being served cafeteria style - pick your items and pay at the end. While I was in line, there was an older woman next to me who wasn't able to carry her soup and other items, and the server was telling her she could go pay for her soup and then come back for the rest. That seemed like an unnecessary hassle to me - so I offered to hold her plates so she could get all she wanted in one trip. So together we walked down the food line, she was picking out stuff (and adding plates for me to carry! which made me laugh) and a couple of times asked for the bigger portion. I wondered if maybe this would be her one warm prepared meal of the day and we talked about making some of the cookies and stuff, and again just remembered my grandma so much. So when we got to the place to pay, I told her I was treating her (it was only $5) and she got all teary and called me her angel - she asked if I went to the church and I said no, just here for the crafts and again she said she believed I was an angel sent to her.

I started getting teary and told her that she was doing me a kindness because this is the kind of event my grandma would have loved and she had died 2 years ago, the woman smiled and said "so I am your grandma today" and I said yes.. she said "I am 82 is that close to her" and I started to really get choked up because my grandma would have been 82. We hugged a few times before I helped her to her seat and her friend waiting for her.

She has no idea how much that brief meeting meant to me as I sit here missing my grandma so much, I hope that I brought a small measure of joy to her day.

[shraby]

1. That's a lovely story. Maybe she was the angel.

[laylah]

2. What a lovely story,

Nadine. :hug:

[KatyaR]

3. What a beautiful story, you made me cry.

I miss my grandmother so much. She's been gone 30 years, she was my very best friend. She loved me more than anyone ever has or ever will.

[nadine_mn]

9. My grandma was a mother to me and my best friend to me too

The pure unconditional love she gave me is my saving grace - I came from a very abusive background and my grandma threatened to take me away from my mom (her daughter) if my mom didn't leave my dad - fast forward to more abuse over the years and my own mental health issues (borderline personality, depression and PTSD from the physical abuse) manifesting in my teens - I could have easily gone down the road of crime, drug or alcohol abuse, suicide, you name it, I was the poster child for "at risk" youth.

The love of my grandparents kept me safe and for that I am grateful everyday. I felt the presence of my grandma's love so strongly today it overwhelmed me and truly felt that the kind woman I met today was an angel sent from my grandma to give me a grandma's hug when I needed it so much.

I am so glad you too shared that wonderful love and friendship with your grandma!

:hug:

[yardwork]

4. Sounds like you met an angel. Now I'm getting choked up.

[lonestarnot]

5. damn it!

:cry:

[NOLALady]

6. The lady was right.

You are an angel. :hug:

[polichick]

7. Wonderful story - thanks for sharing! k&r

[K8-EEE]

8. I believe in angels, and I believe they are all human

And I believe you and the lady were both angels today and shared a magical encounter!

[nadine_mn]

10. I so agree - that's what made me cry I think

such a chance encounter that moved me so much and her too - that is truly what makes this world a better place

[The Doctor.]

28. Actually, they're super/quasi-conscious entities

that work through anyone inclined/open to give them a little processing platform in their unconscious decision-making. A single Angel (or Dragon, Demon, Sprite, Avatar, etc.) can be comprised of bits and pieces of multiple people's super/hyper/sub-consciousness for the performance of a task of one kind or another.

So essentially, you are correct.

The key is revealed in a simple question; "How did the OP know to get in line at exactly that moment?" Why did everything during her day transpire as it did to put her there?

Yes, Angels (and others) walk among us. However you want to look at it.

[Patiod]

38. That's my belief, too.

There was an AIDS charity in NYC called "God's Love We Deliver", and that about sums it up. We're each others' angels (and demons).

[Demonaut]

11. soppy story

made me tear up, I love old people

[Lorien]

17. Me too. I've always wondered why we as a society never "adopt a grandparent"

or allow them to "adopt" us? My grandmothers cared more for me than anyone else and I miss them terribly. The only family member I have left is my mom, a born again fundie who has no real interest in those outside of her church. I'd love to visit with an adopted "grandmother" on Holidays and weekends, but there isn't a "big brothers, big sisters" sort of organization for that.

[sad sally]

23. There are all kinds of "grandmas and grandpas" in nursing homes and

also many living alone in their own homes all over the country waiting for someone to come be their "grand" for any time you can give.

While many families give generously of their time, volunteers to listen, talk, read, take shopping, get hair done, take to doctors appointment - just acknowledge an old person - are always in short supply. Sadly, many counties have had to either eliminate or cut hours of the volunteer coordinator positions, so it may take some leg work to find someone you might bring joy to in their life as an adopted grandchild.

[MrMickeysMom]

41. Please do that...

You just know there is someone out there ending their final days, just wishing someone cared to be their "friend" or adopted family member.

[southernyankeebelle]

12. You did a good thing because you gave that lady attention she needed to. During

the holidays people should try to go to the nearest nursing homes and just listen to some old person who just wants someone's time and a little attention.

[nadine_mn]

13. I used to work as an advocate for elders who were victims of abuse

Often I would visit them in nursing homes and some of the saddest moments where when they would say that the only human touch they have is when the aides come to take their blood pressure or to change them. They would ask if they could hug me (I am very soft and fluffy - like a big teddy bear) and I always said yes they could hug me whenever they needed to.

This is one of the reasons the elderly are so susceptible to scammers and other scum who prey on the weaker among us - they crave that human contact and connection we all can so easily take for granted. There was nothing I enjoyed more than that job - never seemed like work to me.

[Brickbat]

14. I don't know what town you were in, but that sounds just like something Mr. Brickbat's grandma would

say, and I think she was planning to go to a Scandinavian Tea today. I know there are a lot of sweet awesome ladies of that demographic, but it just struck me. :)

[nadine_mn]

39. we live in Champlin, which is north of Minneapolis

There were so many lovely Scandanavian ladies - it was so fun

[NBachers]

15. Yeah, now you made me think of my own gramma with a lump in my throat

Gramma used to get in trouble for sneaking in and being nice to us when we were being punished for some family-rage induced behavior.

[nadine_mn]

16. Aww that is the best part of grandmas - reminding you that you are loved in when punished

:hug:

[bertman]

18. Beautiful story. thank you. REC. nt

[madrchsod]

19. your grandmother is smiling.......

her spirit lives inside you.

[roguevalley]

20. I feel my grandmas around me too, the kindness and warmth

especially when I'm upset. Lovely thing, this. Jesus said be good to everyone because you never know when you will meet an angel. :)

[stevedeshazer]

21. I am descended from Minnesota Lutherans

Your story touched me. Those people are the salt of the earth.

Peace.

[azul]

22. Beautiful. When beauty makes you cry while you smile.

"Everywhere I turn all the beauty just keeps shaking me."
-Amy Ray

[WHEN CRABS ROAR]

24. Peace be with you.

[Liberal_in_LA]

25. wonderful story.

[JournalistKev87]

26. Randomly at a doctor appointment, I saw a woman who resembled my grandma

and I got a bit emotional (nothing too obvious) which I thought was weird because she's been gone for years.

I'm glad you went to this event today and would like to think that this encounter was your grandma checking in on you.

[Lilyeye]

27. Lovely story thats got me tearing up!

[OneBlueSky]

29. thanks for sharing this story . . . things like this happen every day . . .

but, sadly, we never hear about them because they're not "news" . . . nice to read a report of someone doing something nice for a change, but in my experience it's not all that unusual . . . it's just unusual that we hear about it, so thanks again . . .

[pengillian101]

30. Thanks for posting!

My Norwegian Grandma was also my rock growing up in the 50's & 60's. She sounds just like yours :-)

Glad you had such a great day!

:hi:

[JNelson6563]

31. Visit with Grandma, Check!

Seems to me you are the one who had a visit from an angel. May the gods bless all the grandmas and grandpas and those who love them.

Julie

[Enthusiast]

32. Well, you are an angel.

[BEZERKO]

33. Nice story,

thanks!

[wakemewhenitsover]

34. K & R

O8)

[rasputin1952]

35. You are an angel...

you made one person's life just a little better...that's what angels do...O8)

:hug:

[mother earth]

36. And now your story is yet another step in this circle, and

has more meaning that the act of posting it here...thank you for bringing it here.

[Faygo Kid]

37. Swedish heritage too and always live it through the holidays.

Very nice. Grandma would be 116 now, but I miss her still.

[MrMickeysMom]

40. What a GIFT to you and "grandma" that day...

Boy, did I ever relate to what you just said. I was right there with you... For other reasons...

I believe we are hear to help each other, and when we loose our loved family members, sometimes it comes to pass that we need to experience a GIFT, expressed as if they're back with us again.

I reason that my departed loved ones ARE back with me during these encounters, that somehow we are introduce to perfect stranger.

[glinda]

42. Don't you love it when you are able to connect in life that way? In a healing

moment for both you and her? I love when things like that happen. Thank you for sharing your story. Your open heart drew that to you.

[joanbarnes]

43. Thank you for your example, we can all be Angels in this way.

[AverageJoe90]

44. Very touching story.

I.......I can't really think of anything to say. =')