[The writer is a sixteen-year-old girl named Nicole; the words in italics are the responses she gets from her angel.]

Thursday, September 6

I have a memory of Luke being born. I know people doubt that, because I was only four years old. I have this distinct memory of Dad bringing Mom home, and the baby was in her arms. I remember how much Mom beamed. She seemed a bit unkempt, really not the usual perfect look she always had. Mom and Dad were both so nice to me. They took such care with me, knowing, I suppose, that it would be hard for me to have another center of the universe in the house. I just remember snippets, like short reels of film, a foot long or so. But the most vivid and beautiful memory was looking into Luke’s face. Mom set me on the couch and let me hold him (while she sat next to me). He wasn’t looking directly at me, but over my shoulder. His eyes reflected this vast space. They were deep, dark, so empty and at the same time so full. He looked wise. His stare over my shoulder was so focused, like he was looking at something. He smiled in a way that made me think he was seeing . . .

Angels?

Yeah. Angels.

Can I butt in now?

Yeah.

That was me.

No it wasn’t!

It WAS!

Get serious!

It was me! He was looking over YOUR shoulder at ME, YOUR GUARDIAN ANGEL!

Seriously?

Of course. I’m not going to lie to you. Angels can’t lie. Well, they’re not very good at it when they try. But I wouldn’t lie to you about a thing like this. Angels are with people all the time. They are especially around babies. You can feel them. They protect babies from, let’s say,  unfriendly influences. And they hang around their moms as well. Babies look wise because they are so connected to the wisest and most powerful angels. That angel-wisdom shines through. That blank little mind isn’t so full of so many delusions and misconceptions that block out the angels’ influence. The angels aren’t pushed away. The baby is just a baby, but it is totally receptive to the feelings the angels bring—peace, innocence, love, and all that stuff.

So, you have been with me from the beginning?

Yes. And before I forget let me also say that angels are with old people in something of the same way. As people get really old they turn back into little children, for the most part. That’s hard for some people to see, because these old folks can be cranky, and they look like they are adults, but they’re becoming children again. You come into this world as a child and you leave as a child. You have angels with you coming in and angels with you going out.

And angels with you the whole time you are here too! I mean, basically, angels are just always there!

Yeah. But in a special way during those times of life.

Is that true with me too, even if I die young?

Absolutely.