This Willow Tree Angel of Courage came to live with me during the Iraq War after George deployed. My sister-in-law Angela (great name, eh?) sent her to me at a time when I really needed courage. Seeing this wonderful gesture on my bedside table every morning helped me through three very long months.
The worst moment for me during that whole deployment happened when I was driving the boys back from the grocery store one day. From the back seat, Nick, who was three at the time, said with a voice full of happy expectation, "Daddy is waiting for us at home!" I knew that George was probably flying a mission at that very moment on the other side of the world and had to pull off the side of the road for a few minutes to pray for some more courage myself.
Of course, George eventually came home safe and sound, but the Angel of Courage stayed on my bedside table. We all need a daily dose of courage, even for the ordinary challenges of life. A few years ago, Jack played with my angel and loved her wings off, so I glued them back and set her on the top shelf of my bookshelf, out of his reach but in plain sight.
Do you have a symbol of courage in your house?
My symbol of courage is also one of the Willow Tree figurines, the one entitled "My Hero", a woman holding a folded flag. My sister gave it to me while my son was deployed overseas. I treasure it, and the fact that my son returned home safely.
ReplyDeleteI don't have a physical symbol, but I often think of this song which I have on a CD by David Lamotte. "We Are Each Other's Angels." It was written by Chuck Brodsky. It has proven true so many times in my life.
ReplyDelete"Go answer your calling
Go and fill somebody's cup
And if you see an angel falling
Won't you stop and help them up
'Cause we are each other's angels
And we meet when it is time
We keep each other going
And we show each other signs"
Kay, what a wonderful song! Thanks for sharing those lyrics with us!
ReplyDelete