I believe in angels.

God sent me one today. Her name is Rachel. I was just sitting here working on the computer, and this young girl (29)came in to get a rental application. She weighed a scrawny 95 pounds, had her red hair up in a ponytail which exposed an above the neck bald patch (I assumed it was a pre-tattoo shave or something). She talked with the deepest grovel--like an 85 year old woman who had been smoking 3 packs a day for 70 years. I quietly started to write her off as 'unworthy' based on appearance. As I was making a copy of an application for her, I casually asked if she had bronchitis or something. She said, no; she'd just recently finished a huge round of chemo and radiation therapy for throat cancer, and had had a tracheotomy as well. I said, "May I ask if you were a smoker?" Her face turned sad and she said, "Yes, for 10 years." She said she wished her daughter (3) was older so she'd be able to remember and learn. Her son (7) will always remember what he's watched his mama go through the past couple of years. I cried then, as I'm crying now, because I was struggling so hard at that very moment she'd walked in the door. Was bargaining with myself; "I'll just go buy a pack, smoke one, and throw the rest away." And then Rachel walked in and we talked for 20 minutes. She ended by saying, "I believe I am still here for a purpose." And I said, "Oh, you absolutely are. You have affected my life today and I know you'll go on to affect many others." Thank you again, God. I promise I'll keep working at it. One day at a time.

Comments

[Laurie]

Quitting smoking is one of the hardest things you'll ever do, but after watching my mother slowly suffocating and having to say goodbye to her these last weeks has been even harder. I'm so glad I quit when I did, and I know that you can too-if you ever need angel, call-I'll yell at you instead! Love Ya! :)

Ps-have you ever heard of Titan? beats a facelift by a mile....

[Christa H.]

wonderful story! I know you can do it...just keep at it!

[Corinne]

I'm positive your angel was there definitely to save you from smoking. Good luck!

[Melissa]

Jen - that is an amazing story. Thank you so much for sharing it with us. And, I am SURE that she walked through those doors with a purpose.