My Angel Story

From: Folkard, Paula [Folkard@dgsystems.com]
Story type: Angel
Location: Canada
Source: Email Submission

Not sure if you are interested in other stories, but I have one.

My grandmother, a short woman with a big heart, came to Canada when she was 18 from Scotland (over 70 years ago). Even after 70 years in Canada, her Scottish brogue was very strong. Go Go Granny, as she was affectionately known, was well known for her "budgeting", and never wasting anything, however whatever she saved, she gave away to all those who needed it. There was many a time that I was "short" on my bills, and that same day I would receive a letter in the mail from Granny (3,000 miles away) with the exact amount of money that I needed for that bill (eg: I had a telephone bill that was exactly $23.10 short, and that very same day I received a letter and a cheque, and the cheque was in the amount of $23.10!).

Sadly, Granny got very ill with breast cancer when she turned 88, and ended up having one removed. I flew from BC to Ontario to be with her for her operation, and then five months later she summoned me again. This time things seemed more serious, by the time I arrived, Granny was in the hospital suffering from blood poisoning. After a restless night in Granny's apartment, I was suddenly awoken hearing my Grandmother's voice (she was still in hospital), telling me she needed me. As I gathered my wits about me, the telephone rang and it was the hospital asking me to get there as soon as possible as Granny was taking a turn for the worst. As I walked into the bathroom I started to grab a handful of Kleenex, and out of the blue, in a clear Scottish brogue, I heard Granny say "Achh, don't take the good stuff, there's plenty at the hospital". As I arrived at the hospital, my grandmother had passed away minutes before I arrived. I was devastated, however, had to go and make funeral arrangements. In many of her letters to me Granny advised "I don't want a memorial or a funeral, or any fuss whatsoever made for me". However, the people that Granny touched on a daily basis wanted to have a memorial for her. I kept telling them that Granny didn't want that, but they continued to plan a memorial for the weekend. Saturday morning arrived and I went downstairs to the Common Room in the building, and there gathered was at least 100 people, all coming to pay their respects. Once again I reiterated that Granny would not approve of this, but if fell upon deaf ears. As the time neared for the speeches, the local Priest stood up at the podium to begin. As soon as he opened his mouth the fire alarm went off and did not stop until the memorial was over. Like I said, Granny didn't want all the fuss!

That same visit I was delayed longer than I expected and was short on money. I knew Granny was long gone, so no miracles would happen. But was I wrong. One day I had taken all of Granny's clothes and shoes to the local thrift shop to help others, as Granny had always done in her years. That night I laid awake worried how I would be able to continue my duties while I was almost flat broke. As I slept I Granny spoke to me in my dreams...she kept mentioning a "red coat", check the red coat. The next morning I arose and walked into the closet where all of Granny's clothes had been, only to see a Red Coat!!!! Well, needless to say, I was shocked as I know that I took every bit of clothing out of there. As I reached to pull the coat off the hanger it caught so I grabbed the coat and the hanger and realized that the shoulder pad of the coat was actually pinned to the hanger. As I unpinned the coat, a small hand-made sac fell to the floor, when I opened it, there sat $800.00 which was what I needed to ship personal items home to my Mom and to finish paying the funeral home for the services that they provided.

I know that Granny is still watching over me and all the others who touched her life, and I know that no one will ever forget

GO GO GRANNY!