Angels <for Angelo Atuel>

           When I was a child, I always picture angels the way they are painted by known and unknown artists. To me,  angels are winged creatures dressed immaculately in white robes with prominent halos above their heads. Those who devote their time singing melodious hymns for God’s glory belong to the grand choir while those who protect people from harm and worldly temptations work as His soldiers. Angels cry when we sin but they are not involved of our sins. They are jubilant  when we obey the will of the Father. They  live in heaven and spend a whole lot of their time pleasing Him!

        Today, I realize that some angels are without wings. Some dont have halos, and not all can sing well. Others are not strong enough to protect us from danger. They are not dressed in white nor do they live in heaven. At least not yet. But by their good deeds, by their pure hearts, they become our reservoir when we are in bad times.These angels are our family members, friends, acquaintances, and perfect strangers. They are the wonderful persons who have touched our lives and who have accepted our imperfections without lashing their tongues  when we turn our backs to them. I have met them along my journey and they continue to be my angels even as I am writing this.

      One of them celebrates his 30th birthday today. By chance his name is Angelo but his angelic voice and attitude are not by luck for he earns them through constant practice and self discipline. His well defined values in life may sound too traditional to those who believe that principles are dependent to the changing time, yet to those who uphold that integrity and their friends are non negotiable —they are rare and commendable!  I met him one casual day, through the introduction of  two colleagues, Junvic Indaya and Robert Caritan. He became one of my best pals even  without  my knowing it. The first time I get invited to his place in Cambinocot was on September 23, 2004. I remembered vividly my own hesitation of attending his birthday bash because at that time we were merely acquiantance. Well, that decision to be there was one one of the best that I had made because it paved way of our beautiful friendship. Among other  angelic deeds, ANGELO, together with my two other friends, was one of those who chose to be with me on the 26th of February 2006. A Sunday when I was fighting so hard of my fears over my possible prognosis and what to do about it. While I was waiting for him at the church, I thought of telling him to offer the mass for me. I never did. In fact,  we never got the chance to sit on the same pew but he was there. I wanted so much to talk about my concerns, I never uttered it but we talked of anything under  the sun and that was good. I wanted so hard to cry for help but tears won’t come yet the mere presence of three friends kept me strong.When I invited him to join me on that day, he never asked why he had to be there, who he had to be with while he was with me. He simply came. Little did he know the inner strength he gave me on that gloomy Sunday.