A Real Life Angel

I am sure most of you have heard of a sweet woman that graced the doors of my office a few months before the wedding. Josephine Mancini. Long story short, she is a retired woman who walks in the park, where I have worked in Sacramento, on a daily basis. One day she appeared in my office and wanted to know more about what we did at our Foundation. After a lengthy discussion and chat that first meeting, I knew she was someone special. (You might recall more of that first meeting from the ministers story in our wedding ceremony and in a speech at the rehearsal dinner). Later, I come to find out she had our wedding date in her calendar and had been praying for our happiness.

Then, shortly after the wedding she came back to see how it went...we shared stories, pictures, words of wisdom and more. She left and I was sick I hadn't gotten her address. Low and behold when she had been in there the day before she lost an earring so she came in to see if we had it. I was then able to get her address and phone number so I could assure we stayed in touch. Often I find myself looking out our office window to see if I would see her walking or hoping she would walk in the door. So, as I was packing up my office yesterday I couldn't help but be sad that I may never see Josephine again...I even stayed later than normal at work just in case she decided to stop by as she normally came late in the afternoon. However, no sign of her and I left.

Today, my last day at work, I was only working a 1/2 day as Whit was flying back from Baltimore and I wanted to get home and spend time with him, and well, uh we have a lot to do before we move next week. Well, literally as I am walking out the door with my things the door opens and it's Josephine!!! I couldn't believe it. She saw me with my things in my hand and my desk cleared out and all my pictures down and immediately teared up. She thought I had been fired. I assured her that Whit had gotten a great new job and we were moving to Maryland. The tears really started flowing and she spent a few minutes telling me how much my kindness has meant to her and, as she often does, told me a few stories from her past and shared some very valuable advice. She promised me she would continuing praying for us and think of me often. We promised to stay in touch.

As I was driving home, it dawned on me that I would never see her sweet face or that glow she seemed to have about her. I should've gotten a picture!!!! Well, I turned the car around and  knew the apartment complex she lived in so I drove straight there...all while thinking how in the world am I going to find her. As I am driving around the parking lot I see her sitting on a bench with another older couple. YES!!! As I approached her, she yelped with joy and said to her friends "This is the angel I have been telling you about!!!" and then went on to formally introduce me to her friends, who of course already knew about the wedding and about us moving to Baltimore. She definitely didn't waste any time telling them. I told her I came back to find her so we could get a picture and she was overjoyed and made me promise to send her a copy. With tears in her eyes, she said she's often thought I was an angel sent to remind her there are kind people in this world. Now with tears in my eyes, I told her I know she was angel sent to watch over me in California. She always appeared right at the exact time that I needed her to.  I don't think anything with Josephine is by accident.

My angel, Josephine