A little girl
bare foot and dirty, the girl just sat and watched the people go by.
She never tried to speak, she never said a word.
Many people passed, but never did one person stop.
Just so happens, the next day I decided to go back to the park,
curious if the little girl would still be there.
Right in the very spot as she was yesterday, she sat perched on high,
with the saddest look in her eyes.
Today I was to make my own move and walk over to the little girl.
As we all know, a park full of strange people is not a place for young children to play alone.
As I began walking towards her,
I could see the back of the little girl's
dress indicated a deformity.
I figured that was the reason the people
just passed by and made no effort to help.
As I got closer, the little
girl slightly lowered her eyes to avoid my intent stare.
I could see the shape of her back more clearly.
It was grotesquely shaped in a humped over form.
I smiled to let her know it was ok,
I was there to help, to talk.
I sat down beside her and opened with a simple Hello.
The little girl
acted shocked and stammered a "hi" after a long stare into my eyes.
I smiled and she shyly smiled back.
We talked 'til darkness fell and the
park was completely empty. Everyone was gone and we at once were
alone. I asked the girl why she was so sad.
The little girl looked at me and
with a sad face said, "Because I'm different."
Immediately I said "that you are!" and smiled. The little girl
acted even sadder, she said, "I know."
"Little girl," I said, "you remind me of an angel, sweet and innocent."
She looked at me and smiled,
slowly she stood to her feet,
and said,
"Really?" "Yes, dear, you're like a little guardian angel sent
to watch over all those people walking by."
She nodded her head "yes" and smiled, and with that she spread
her wings and said, "I am. I'm your guardian angel,"
with a twinkle in her eye.
I was speechless, sure I was seeing things.
She said, "For once you thought of someone other than yourself,
my job here is done."
Immediately I stood to my feet and said, "Wait, so why did no one
stop to help an angel?"
She looked at me and smiled, "You're the only one who could see
me, and you believe it in your heart."
And She was gone. And with that
my life was changed dramatically. So,
when you think you're all you have,
remember, your angel is always watching over you. Mine was...

The park bench was deserted as I sat down to read
Beneath the long, straggly branches of an old willow tree.
Disillusioned by life with good reason to frown,
For the world was intent on dragging me down.
And if that weren't enough to ruin my day,
A young boy out of breath approached me, all tired from play.
He stood right before me with his head tilted down
And said with great excitement, "Look what I found!"
In his hand was a flower, and what a pitiful sight,
With its petals all worn - not enough rain, or too little light.
Wanting him to take his dead flower and go off to play,
I faked a small smile and then shifted away.
But instead of retreating he sat next to my side
And placed the flower to his nose and declared with overacted surprise,
"It sure smells pretty and it's beautiful, too.
That's why I picked it; here, it's for you."
The weed before me was dying or dead.
Not vibrant of colors: orange, yellow or red.
But I knew I must take it, or he might never leave.
So I reached for the flower, and replied, "Just what I need"
But instead of him placing the flower in my hand,
He held it mid-air without reason or plan.
It was then that I noticed for the very first time
That weed-toting boy could not see: he was blind.
I heard my voice quiver; tears shone in the sun
As I thanked him for picking the very best one.
"You're welcome," he smiled, and then ran off to play,
Unaware of the impact he'd had on my day.
I sat there and wondered how he managed to see
A self-pitying woman beneath an old willow tree.
How did he know of my self-indulged plight?
Perhaps from his heart, he'd been blessed with true sight.
Through the eyes of a blind child, at last I could see
The problem was not with the world; the problem was me.
And for all of those times I myself had been blind,
I vowed to see the beauty in life, and appreciate every second that's mine.
And then I held that wilted flower up to my nose
And breathed in the fragrance of a beautiful rose
And smiled as I watched that young boy, another weed in his hand,
About to change the life of an unsuspecting old man.