Angel Story

From: Michael C. Vassallo (mikeyv231977@hotmail.com)
Story type: Angel
Location: Long Island Rail Road, New York
Source: Form Submission
Date submitted: Sat Dec 10 13:39:45 2011

Michael C. Vassallo
December 10th, 2011
Long Island Rail Road, New York
Angel Story

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It was a rainy Monday morning--April 22nd, 2002, to be exact. I boarded a train for the Long Island Rail Road from the Rockville Centre Station platform. As I entered the car and walked down the aisle, I spotted a particular female already sitting down. Although I was in a foul mood because of the rain and because I was already late for work, I managed to make eye contact and smile at her. She nicely exchanged the smile, and I took a seat behind her (diagonally, maybe?). As we neared our destination at Pennsylvania Station in Manhattan, we got into a conversation. I can't remember how it started or even everything that was said, but I definitely remember some highlights.

She had a booklet that she had written something on the back of its front cover, and as we spoke, she apparently got some sort of a sense from me. I'd never seen her before, so of course when she told me I was a beautiful person and that I had beautiful eyes, you can imagine my initial suspicion. How often do you meet a random stranger and he or she tells you that you have beautiful eyes which are the gateway to your soul--and that you have a beautiful soul? I thought she was a bit strange, and I must admit I was a bit hesitant. I had just gotten my heart broken twice, so naturally I wasn't about to trust this girl, either. But then why had I smiled at her in the first place? Had there been some sort of karma in the air that day? She was the kindest, most soft-spoken, most genuine random stranger I had ever met. What I found even more amazing was that this girl, who seemed to be around my age at that time (I was 25), didn't seem to care that I was cold and guarded. Naturally that's not my usual personality, but like I said, I had been burned by romantic interests just recently. However, she didn't care that I was guarded; it was like she knew I was a nice, kind-hearted gentleman and understood I was having a bad day and was still dealing with the pain from former romantic letdowns.

We stepped off the train and kept talking before we ascended the escalator up to the main concourse of the train station. The girl handed me the book she had written in and told me how wonderful she thought it was that we had met. Then she parted from my sight. I never saw her or heard from her again, but I read the message she wrote in the book. The booklet was a Gospel of John, and the hand-written message was directed at me--referring to me as "Smiley", telling me that God loved me and that I was kind and that Jesus would never let me down no matter what; she closed the message with Jesus quotes and signed off as "Amy".

Seven years went by, and I forgot all about this episode. Then two years ago I remembered it out of nowhere. I have been thinking about it every day since then, and I just feel so blessed to have had that happen to me. I just really feel sad that I can't track her down so I can thank her for reaching out to me in my time of need and loneliness; I would also like to apologize to her for having been a bit short with her when she was nice enough to nurture me with such kind words. I have told several people this story, and they all seem to think this Amy girl was an angel. This has prompted me to develop an interest in reading angel books and stories and to even eat angel foodcake! I also view it as a sign that she's watching over me whenever I run into or meet someone whose name is Amy. A recruiter has been reaching out to me with possible job openings, and her name is Amy! Perhaps that is a sign as well! I may never get to thank her in person for the rest of my life, but if she is my guardian angel, I hope she will make herself known to me visibly and in person at some point again. Otherwise, I may have to wait until I die before I see her face-to-face again.

However, many blessings have come into my life because of this...now that I think of it, it wasn't too long after this encounter with Amy that I began dating my wife, that I lost my job which I hated anyway, that I wound up working in the company I currently work at, that I wound up finding out about the volunteer opportunities I now immerse myself in, and that I met the best friend I've ever had (next to my wife, that is!). Even now, nine years later, I still find my life reaping blessings connnected to this encounter!

About a year ago, I dealt with a very devastating, painful experience right before my beautiful daughter was born; not only has my daughter helped teach me to smile more and celebrate life's simplicities more, but I could have sworn I also felt Amy as a guardian angel helping me to get through the hurdle I had mentioned. And I definitely believe and love God even more now because of Amy's kind message and generosity. Yes, I wish I could meet up with Amy again...even if it's just for five minutes so I can thank her and wish her well and tell her how she has inspired me. But in the meantime, I can just be happy that the encounter took place and reminded me that no matter how difficult times are and no matter who's mean to me, there's always someone out there looking out for me!

To continue Amy's work in my life, I ordered a bunch of Gospel of John booklets from the same organization Amy's booklet to me came from; one day when I was doing volunteer work, I passed out a bunch of them, trying to be an "Amy" to the people I came in contact with that day! Opportunities like this truly help me to channel the happiness I feel because of what happened to me on Monday, April 22nd, 2002. I pray for more of them!