I encountered my guardian angel for the first time when I was 15 years old sitting on the back of a flatbed truck. It was during half-time of the Varsity football Homecoming game and a line of high school floats inched toward the narrow gate that led onto football field. My legs dangling to the side of the truck, reflexively kicking back and for forth madly to the loud marching band at the head of the line.
Just as our fully loaded truck passed its nose through the chain link fence, I heard a voice inside my body thunderously roar, “Stand Up!” and at the same instant a burst of inner energy thrust my legs upward to standing.
The next sound I heard was an ear piercing screech of metal on metal and saw that the flatbed had wedged flush and immobile against the chain link gate post exactly where I had been sitting with my legs dangling.
I never told anyone about what happened that night but during darker times of sadness throughout my life I have been drawn back to the memory of that night.
This assemblage piece is in honor of that guardian angel who continually interfaces with my humanity to deliver God’s amazing grace.
