John the Angel

John was God sent. I believe he was an angel sent to me for a short period of time. I really believe that. I believe that sometimes when things aren’t right, when the karma is off, or God wants us to complete a task, and we aren’t succeeding, there is divine intervention. For me it needs to be a slap upside the head. I just don’t get subtle hints; I need direct orders. I guess I’m not a good listener. The slaps come often enough though, and it seems to work out just fine.

John came to me from one of the churches that volunteered at the food bank. Once or twice a year, each church would be assigned a month to work on Fridays. It was just a few hours. They had a representative talk to the parishioners and make a sign up list, and then I would get two people that would come in each Friday and help me. I had regular volunteers for each week, but these people helped with odds and ends. I was grateful to have the help.

This particular church messed up their month. They didn’t get the volunteer notice out quick enough, so the minister took it upon himself to volunteer his time. Friday morning came; he forgot to come. I called the church and left a message that said, as nicely as I could, that we needed him and to please come. That was when I met John; the minister never made it. He was a retired senior, in his sixties but looked a good few years younger. He introduced himself to me, and I put him to work; boy did he work! He didn’t stop one minute. Well, he came the next week, and the next week, and continued to work with us until I left the job, which was a few years later.

John would take on any job I needed done. He was willing to work hard and long, but he had one flaw. He made boundaries that he couldn't keep. He’d tell me what time he had to leave after working, I always agreed, but usually when that time came, he stayed a half an hour longer, sometimes more. He was my angel, God sent, and I was so grateful.

I told him how much I appreciated him; I couldn’t tell him enough actually. I needed him to know. I’m glad I did, because John recently died. I guess God needed his angel closer by. Perhaps he’s got a bigger job for John. I’m sorry to see that the earth is missing my angel, but I hope another has wrapped their wings around John and made him realize how special he was to me. He helped me help a lot of people. He helped me appreciate how good people can be.

Thank you John.