He didn’t feel much like an angel. He hadn’t really lived right when he was alive, and didn’t turn things around for the better, until the end. But something did happen to him before the lights went out, and he started caring about people, started doing some real good in the world.
Then there was the car accident, and now here he was an angel, complete with wings (which he always kept hidden), assigned to the Christmas detail, which was always the toughest assignment.
Originally from Vietnam, Henry Vu had just saved several people from a raging blizzard, and was assigned next, to help Caroline Jenkins and her two daughters, aged 6 and 8 years old. Sgt. Tom Jenkins had just been killed about one month ago, fighting the Taliban, in Afghanistan. His family was devastated. Jessica, who at just 8 years old, was talking of suicide, and 6 year old Jasmine, was in complete despair that she would never see her Daddy again.
Caroline had taken up drinking, which she had never done before, and she was filled with hate now for all people from the Middle East, no matter who they were. Henry Vu sighed heavily as he headed their way. He had seen the whole thing on video sent from the Angel Command Center.
Rather than burst into their living room, as a living light, Henry decided to use some carolers from a local church. Two van loads of people from a church were driving through the area. Henry popped into their van unseen. Sitting invisible next to the driver, Henry whispered into her ear, “Dakota Avenue, we need to go down Dakota Avenue.”
Sure enough it worked! “We need to go down Dakota Avenue”, the driver said. As they pulled up and unloaded, the first house they came to was the Jenkins house. “Let’s sing Silent Night!”, someone said. 19 year old Luke ran up the steps to ring the doorbell, and the group started singing, “Silent Night, Holy night…..”
Inside Caroline was startled, but headed for the door, Jessica and Jasmine ran, yelling, “Who is it Mommy??” Caroline didn’t know who it was, but popped a mint in her mouth to cover the smell of alcohol.
As she opened the door, the music pierced Caroline’s heart with both pain and joy. It was her husband Tom’s favorite Christmas carol. Tears began streaming down her face, Jessica said, “Mommy?” By the middle of the song Caroline broke down, not able to contain the grief any longer. She fell to her knees, weeping loudly.
Henry Vu watched from a rooftop across the street, realizing it was not over yet. The carolers stopped, but as they all prayed quietly, one of their group rushed to Caroline’s side….
To be continued.
Writing and Image © Copyright 2015, 2018, ancient skies
