My Guardian Angel(Shelly Garrod) Whether you believe Guardian Angels are a myth or a Christian belief it is for each of us alone to determine the answer. I've had occurrences in my life that opened my eyes to the realization that maybe just maybe there is something to their spiritual existence.

It was a beautiful day in late February when my son and I started off on our trip to visit his grandma. He was filled with so much excitement. Last time he saw his grandma was at Christmas. He was missing her a lot. So, I told him the next nice day we get we would go see grandma. Today was that day with temps in the sixties and bright sunshine. No snow in the forecast. I don't like to drive in the winter, so I won't if I don't have to. The trip to my mother's is about two hours away so we started out early.

“I can't wait to see grandma!” My seven-year-old beamed with excitement.

“I know Johnny, two months is a long time. She'll be happy to see you too. Finish your breakfast, get dressed and don't forget to brush your teeth. You may want to take a few toys to play with. I'll go pack our clothes. So, hurry up kiddo.”

“OK mom, I'll be ready in a jiffy.”

Within about a half hour we were ready to head out. It was a gorgeous day, not a cloud in the sky.

“Mom, do I have to wear my coat?'

“No honey, just lay it beside you.”

With juice, pop and munchies on hand we were on our way. We always have so much fun on our road trips. We sing, crack jokes and laugh. I love the togetherness we share. This particular day he fell asleep in the back seat. I'm glad he did. As I continued west, I clicked on the radio and found myself singing 'Sherry' by The Four Seasons. I noticed it starting to get a little cloudy and a few miles up ahead I could see that it is quite dark. Oh crap, I thought to myself. I sure hope that isn't snow. But soon my fear materialized. It was snowing and hard, covering the road in a matter of minutes. I thought about trying to turn around and go back but I couldn't see anything. Suddenly it's snowing and blowing that mesmerizing snow where you can't see anything at all. I had no idea where the road was or where I was. In an instant I'm in a snowbank on the opposite side of the road. Just as my Chevy comes to a halt a semi-truck whizzes past shaking the car just missing us by only a few feet. He never blew his horn making me think he didn't see the car. Thank gosh I was far enough off the road, and he stayed on the road.

My son is jolted awake.

“Hey mom, it's snowing.”

My body numb and yet trembling I quickly turn around and grab my son pulling him to the front seat. Wrapping him in a tight embrace as tears slide down cheeks.

“Mom, you're crying. Are you OK?”

“Yes, honey I'm fine. Are you OK?”

“Ya.”

As quickly as the snow had started, it ended. The sun came out again and remained the rest of this warm winter day. We made it to my mothers safely.

*****

I was the driver for a day's trip to Michigan's Adventure in Muskegon. My son invited his Uncle Dan, and best friend Chris. It was going to be a hot and humid day with clear skies. So, with coolers packed with juice, pop, sandwiches, water and munchies we were ready for a day of fun. First stop on our journey was breakfast at Big Boy. Once finished we continued with the long ride/drive to the amusement park. As soon as we arrived at the park the non-stop fun commenced. I love amusement parks and water parks. By eight o'clock that evening when the park closed, we were sunburned and whipped. We began our two-and-a-half-hour trip back. Excitement exploded throughout the car as everyone talked about the fun they had and what their favorite rides were. But that soon faded with the sunlight. As one by one they all crashed. I turned on the radio, rolled down some windows to try and keep myself awake. Pulling over a few times to get out of the car and walk around and drink some water. But to no avail. I found it very hard to stay awake. I kept dozing off. I cranked up the radio. Still no help. I was totally exhausted. My eyes were extremely dry. My sunburn was painful. We were only about a half hour from home when I could no longer keep my eyes open. So, I closed them. Only to be awakened by the blare of an 18-wheeler's air horn and big white angry headlights starring into my eyes. I was in his lane. Straight in front of him. A head-on accident waiting to happen. Swiftly I swerved back into my lane as the huge semi-truck roared past me. That woke up the boys. I pulled over, got out of the car and took a couple deep breaths to regain my composure. The boys grabbed some much-needed stretching and fresh air. They all stayed awake keeping me awake the rest of the way home.

*****

After a long day of shopping, I decided to take a different way back home. It was a route I hadn't taken before so it was unfamiliar to me, but it was well documented with many signs. Thank goodness because I had no cell phone and no GPS. As I sometimes do when I travel alone, I began to daydream. Unaware of a stop sign up ahead. I continued to daydream not paying any attention. I was probably driving about sixty when suddenly everything came into focus. But too late for me to stop. Luckily there weren't any vehicles I had to contend with except for a semi. I know that sounds funny. But one vehicle was plenty to worry about. As I approached the intersection, I knew I couldn't stop so I gave it all the gas I could. The semi was coming at full speed blaring its horn and flashing its lights. I turned my head to the right for a fraction of a second and I swear the semi appeared to stop. Still to this day I can't explain that feeling. But at the speed he was traveling I knew that was impossible. Once across the street I pulled over and again thanked my Guardian Angel for being with me when I needed him.

*****

All three of my situations involved semi-trucks. I could never understand the significance of that, and I probably never will. But I believe that if not for my Guardian Angel intervening at times when I needed him the most I might not be here today. Or my life would have been disrupted in a very drastic way.

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