Did My Guardian Angel Protect Me?

Life is Fragile but Full of Meaning!

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes, 1 second

Walking near the intersection, my eyes caught the last car from Springfield Avenue gracefully turning onto Orange Avenue. A wave of relief washed over me; I wouldn’t have to wait to cross and could soon be stepping into the tranquility of Hanson Park. Just then, another vehicle came to a halt, generously allowing me to cross before it continued its journey onto Orange.

Life’s unpredictability was evident as a van unexpectedly began its left turn right after the first driver had stopped. In that split second, adrenaline surged through me, but thankfully, the van’s driver spotted me just in time, slamming on the brakes with a jolt that spared us both from disaster. It was a close call, a stark reminder to cherish every moment!

Walking along the river in Hanson Park, I paused at the bench dedicated to my wife and whispered my three most important words: “I love you!” My feet felt tired, but they kept moving toward home, completing the 1,415th consecutive day of my walks. Upon entering my building, I sighed, grateful to my guardian angel who had kept me safe.

Do angels exist? All I know is that more times than I can count on two hands, I have escaped danger thanks to what felt like the intervention of an angel—such as being attacked by a dog and narrowly avoiding car accidents, to name a few. That day, I settled down to read, work, and focus on what I could do to help repair the world.

But mostly, I thought about how Sharon Brous, the author of The Amen Effect, explained the power of saying Amen. She described it as a way to acknowledge a situation’s truth, affirm our connection to each other, and express our hope for a better future. This concept has deeply resonated with me and has become a guiding principle in my life.

It’s in these times that I feel the weight of the work, the privilege of being alive, the blessing of being so close to such raw beauty and pain. It’s there that I have learned the power of saying ‘Amen‘ to one another’s grief and joy, sorrow and celebration with our very presence. Of bearing witness to profound suffering and protesting injustice with our very presence. Of comforting and consoling, surviving and thriving with our very presence. What I’ve learned, during the years, is the meaning of sacred companionship. I have seen, in ways subtle and pronounced, a longing to connect with others who can help hold the pain, a need to share what we’ve learned in the trenches, and a desire to give, even when we ourselves have barely caught our breath. And I have seen how knowing that we’re not alone can both heighten our joy and help us endure unimaginable hardship.

After dinner, I stepped out of my apartment to perform a mitzvah. Just as I was about to leave the building, a neighbor came in after finishing his run. After greeting him, he said, “You inspired me to run!” This simple exchange was a powerful reminder of the warmth and support we find in our relationships, a moment of sacred companionship.

Contemplating the finite number of days I have left, I understood that choosing to grieve and embrace life was my only path. Every moment is a treasure, reminding me to say “Amen” more often. Standing still on the sidewalk, I poured out my deepest emotions.

Grateful am I, Adonai, for the guardian angel you sent to protect me, giving me another day to live!