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Angels among us
By juliezavala in My Turn
February 8, 2011

Image Mama, me in the background acting goofy to get a smile out of them, Daddio, and my son, Bob.

Three years ago, before my Mom was diagnosed with cancer and before Daddy was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, my Dad drove all the way from Jasper, Texas to my house in Victoria. I really didn't think it was such a good idea for Dad to drive that far but Mom seemed confident they would be all right. She assured me they would leave early and take frequent breaks. They'd be here before dark.

Late in the day, as night time came on, I kept going outside to check and see if they were down the street. No sign of them. The thing that made me worry even more was the fact that they didn't have a cell phone. I was feeling more apprehensive as it got later and later and still there was no sign of them.

Finally, Just as I was contemplating driving around town to see if I could find them, I noticed two cars coming slowly down the street. Then one of the cars pulled into a driveway about 4 houses down, backed up and drove the opposite direction. The other car kept coming toward where I was standing on the sidewalk. As it got closer I could see that someone was holding a flashlight and shining it on the curb, looking for street numbers.

I figured out it was Mom and Dad and I ran up to their now recognizable van. I was so freakin' relieved! After we all went into the house and got settled in Mama told me they had ended up being so late because she had to keep taking breaks. Her lower back was hurting her during the long ride.

I poured cups of coffee and we sat on the sofa relaxing. Then Mama told me about their little "adventure" in Victoria. It seems that once they got into town they took a wrong turn and got lost. They stopped at a convenience store and as daddy put gas in the car, Mom stood beside him trying to figure out what they should do.

As they talked about how lost they were a lady gassing up at the next pump overheard them. Once she was finished she walked over and asked them if they needed any help. She even let Mom use her cell phone to call me but I missed her call. I guess I was outside looking down the road.

Then this woman, no, this angel, after asking Mom where they were trying to go, told them to get back in their van and they could follow her as she drove to my street. That's how they made it safely to my house that night.

Mama couldn't remember the woman's name but she spoke about how kind she was. I would love to know who this person was so I could thank her personally. We had a wonderful visit with Mama and Daddy and it's a memory that I will never forget. And I owe it all to a good Samaritan who saw two little confused old people and stepped in to help out.

Whoever you are, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You are an ANGEL.