My guardian angel

When Woman’s World reader Maureen Valentine was struggling with the loss of her daughter, a little girl gave her unexpected comfort! She writes:

When I lost my daughter, Julia, several years ago, I knew it would always be hard. She was just 24 years old.

In my job as a paraeducator in a nearby school district, I helped children of all ages. I would substitute in elementary, middle or high school, so I often moved around between the schools.

Sometimes, working with the students made me feel better after losing my daughter, but many days, it felt like a punch in the stomach. I would come across a book, an assignment or some scenario that would remind me of my two daughters’ school years. It triggered memories of Julia and of better days when my daughters were younger.

Occasionally, I would get a tear in my eye, but usually I held my feelings in and kept a pretty cheerful attitude. Most people did not even know what I was going through.

However, one day, I was having a particularly hard time. I was in a new kindergarten classroom, and I felt so discouraged. I started second-guessing myself and thought, Maybe I shouldn’t be doing this. I didn’t know where I would find the

“She even had brown eyes and blond hair like my Julia!”

energy for the day. I silently hoped and prayed for something that would encourage me.

Suddenly, a little girl ran over and gave me a big hug around the legs with her arms wrapped around my knees! I couldn’t move. She looked up at me. I asked her what her name was. She said, “Julia!” I couldn’t believe it. She even had brown eyes and blond hair just like my daughter did when she was younger.

The hug only lasted seconds, and she ran back to join the group. Was this just a coincidence because kindergartners are so exuberant? I’m not sure, but I know my angels sent that little Julia to remind me of my Julia. Those few seconds that she was hugging me gave me the energy and encouragement to go on.