I call them "Earth Angels." Jo, I believe, calls them "Angels Walking." They are the same thing. People who appear in your life and help you out far above and beyond and just as quickly are gone again. They come for all different reasons and in all different seasons but they surely are around.
I had the pleasure today of meeting one. As I do every year and wrote about It last year, I go to the Memorial Show in Farmingdale, Long Island, New York every year. Although I love seeing the old planes and watching some incredible take-offs, landings and air flight shows, I go mainly to honor my farther. An air force man who would have never missed it if he were alive.
He served in World War 11 and was in the 8th Air Force, 351st group and was in and stationed with Clark Gable with whom he and many others became friends with. He always spoke so highly of him and I have several old pictures of the two of them. And remember some of his stories of the war. His philosophy after the war was "When your time is up, it's up." He saw so many fellow "brothers" lost that he was amazed he made it through alive although he'd taken a few bullets.
His secret to having made it through the war was that he became engaged to my mother shortly before leaving. He would not marry her in case he didn't come home, he didn't want to leave her as a young widow. So he took the engagement ring he was going to give her and had a secret pocket built into it....which he used on all missions. When he came home, he was able to give her the ring-it was his "good luck" charm.
I went to ask a man a question about what time the planes might be flying. He didn't know but was curious, I think, what I was doing there with Laura. It's they type of thing that many men come out to see but not a lot of women. I mentioned that my father had been in the Air Force and I came every year. He knew of my father, it turns out.....and proceeded to take me into the museum where he ended up giving Laura and I a personal tour, pointing out things I never would have noticed or known what they meant.
He introduced me to others that worked there and spent a good two hours telling both Laura and I stores and facts that I had never heard from my dad. Many people, he believes, have lost the meaning of Memorial Day....he said it came down to two things: Sales at the stores and Barbeques; he may be right. I didn't learn his name and he doesn't know mine but I truly consider this person who took so much time today to give me knowledge and information I never would have know to be one of those "Earth Angels" ---Sent from my dad without a doubt.
*The Air Show runs through Monday and is located at the Republic Air Base, Farmingdale, Long Island, New York
**Carole Provenzale has been a Certified Feng Shui Consultant since 1997 and is the Founder of Feng Shui Long Island providing on site Feng Shui Consultations for New York City (Manhattan) and all of Long Island for Homes, Apartments, Businesses, Corporations, Renovations and New Construction. Carole also provides Lectures and Workshops on Feng Shui Principles.
Great photos of those planes... as I am a flying nut...
Jeff Lund
Five Star Real Estate
Angels indeed. Each and every one of them. Can you imagine our lives without them?
Carole, I call those encounters, "divine appointments". Could not be planned by ANY human means. How heart warming, tears in my eyes. I am so touched this happened to you, Carole.
What a fantastic post. Truly, your dad put this guy in your path with wonderful results. Thanks for telling us about it.
Carole, neat ThemThem to Dad. The stories he must have shared with you as you were growing up must have been amazing. And Clark Gable, wow. I'm sorry for your loss of one our hero's. Thank you from me to him for his services. To cool on the ring as well, what a special meaning!
Carole,
Such a beautiful tribute to your Dad (I love the story about the engagement ring..wow) and to the fallen men and women who died protecting freedom that Memorial Day stands for.
It's wonderful that you met someone who knew your Dad and spoke to you and Laura about the true meaning of Memorial Day.....
Jo
Carole, thanks for putting this excellent piece together and sharing about your father. How appropriate for the Memorial Day weekend. Yes, many think of time off as JUST barbeques and sales and it is ironic that those that gave their lives actually preserved that blessing for the rest of us. Your recognition of earth angels I have observed too. I had this couple come to my house when I was a junior in high school the exact weekend my parents were leaning toward me going to a 2 yr. community college when I wanted to move away and go to a four year university. They convinced my parents that the four year university would be just fine for me and I went that direction. Even here on Active Rain it is amazing who you bump into, like your lovely self with your New York and Feng Shui expertise. Another earth angel in my midst : ) Enjoy your holiday weekend and that Farmingdale show sounds wonderful for something to do with some time off.
Hi Carole..what a perfect post for Memorial Day...I think you're right about him being sent there by your Dad. What a wonderful day!
Carole--What a great story...Walking angels--I have met one or two people who have touched my life like this. It is wonderful when we have a chance to do it back for someone else too.
Jeff, They sure are amazing, you would have loved the show.
Kris, I actually can't. It's so wonderful and unexpected....and KIND.
Missy, Thank you so much. I really did feel my father all around me...
Karen, I believe so too. I will never forget this man's kindness or generosity, ever!
Duane, He did share some amazing stories but left out so many of the horrors, some of which we heard about from this man that I never would have known.
Jo, I know, I felt his sadness when he was saying that many people had forgotten the true meaning of Memorial Day...
Gary,I am thrilled that this couple intervened in your behalf! People don't sometimes realize what they do for us--in your case it changed a life! I thank you for considering me an earth angel but although I'm not, I do hope I've helped some people along the way.
Joan, Oh, my dad sent him allright....I'm sure of it and thanked him for the gift.
Teri, I agree, it is wonderful when you can change a life, or even a day or a moment for someone...and sometimes it takes almost nothing.
Carole, I'm sure he did that to protect you from the trauma he experienced.
What a beautiful tribute to our veterans, this Earth Angel, and your father.
Carole, did you ever read the book Flyboys? I think you'd enjoy it. God bless men like your Dad and yesterday's walking angel.
Memorial Day is about the military men and women who gave their lives to keep us safe.
Carole- Great Post! Memorial Day is a wonderful time to remember our fallen military members as well as all who have served or are serving. I was very disappointed last night and this morning when I went searching for the time for the memorial services in town and couldn't find them in our local paper, I did find articles about grilling out though....