I’d been running on empty for a while. It seemed like stress arrived gift wrapped for me daily. I had gotten to a breaking point when I went on a retreat with some friends.
We each got a massage. When it was my turn, I rested to the soft music and my shoulders started to release from my ears. The light lavender candle scent filled the air. It was lovely, until she placed her hand on my heart.
I swear tears came from my toes. All of my sadness and frustration bubbled out like a shaken soda can. I panicked. Was I having a nervous breakdown? I couldn’t stop crying. My ears filled with tears. I did the only thing I knew. I asked my guardian angels to be with me.
When they arrived, one on each side, I calmed instantly. I have never known such a feeling. To say calm is an understatement. I was in a safe cocoon of pure love. The tears slowed, pulse returned to normal, and I was content to stay in that spot forever.
This was the beginning of a longer journey with angels and the after life.
One night I was awoken from sleep by a voice. “It’s time Anne”, the voice said. I thought my husband was asking what time it was. The voice repeated, “It’s time, Anne. It’s time to open a store to spread our angelic healing.” I thought I was losing my mind!
When I told my husband, his surprising response was, “I think you should do it. Who are we to ignore the voice of an angel? Maybe God has this plan for you.” I began to buy angels as I could afford them. A little help arrived in strange places. I found a hundred and fifty dollars in my jeans pocket. It was just enough to purchase from a new supplier. I was ecstatic. Even the government chipped in with a check that we had overpaid our taxes. Trust me, that never happens!
It took almost a year to have enough to open a store. Again, help came along. I found a small store on Main Street. The rent was only three hundred dollars. I was on a mission. Lavender and cream feather paint made the small store look heavenly. My window was painted with Anne’s House of Angels…Gifts from the Heart. It was all falling into place.
The store’s grand opening was April 12th, in honor of my dad’s birthday. I sat at my desk in wonder that this was such a gift. Just then a wave of fear hit me. A big wave! What was I thinking? People are going to think I’m crazy! Just as I reached for tissues, a small lace angel began to play Somewhere Over the Rainbow all by herself. It had a music button, but I didn’t touch it. This was a song my dad sang when I was a kid. I practiced it for Glee Club over and over.
I felt like my dad was right there with me. I could do this. That was my first angel bump at the store. Little did I knew there would be many more to follow.
Musings, Rants & Scribbles says
What a beautiful story. Good luck with your store. Sounds like your Dad was right there!
Anne Bardsley says
Thank you, Laurie. I loved the Angel Store. I had to close it after 911, but until
then it was magical place.
Thanks for your kind words.