BESTSELF™ ICEBREAKER | Exposed 07
WHEN DID A GUARDIAN ANGEL SHOW UP IN YOUR LIFE?
I’ve been fortunate to have been surrounded by lovely people who have consistently helped me keep my head above water, especially during difficult times.
My dad’s mother, my Nanny, was known to many as a “battle axe” but for me, I was her “little Dickie’s eldest” and she was always so kind to me. She was particularly kind when she knew my mother was mean. Every May she would come from the Maritimes to our home in Toronto for the month. On the first day, we would make our annual trip to the Marks & Spencer at Bloor and Bay to buy me a year’s worth of underwear. My mother didn’t feel it necessary to clothe me, but Nanny always came through making sure I was fully clothed all the way down to my skivvies. Nanny would go toe-to-toe with my mother on any and every issue. You could cut the tension in my childhood home with a knife, it was so much worse every May as my Nanny’s presence seemed to amplify my mother’s sanctimonious perfection and cruel streak.
Eleanor was a family friend who was a complete ballbuster. She regularly came to my rescue when my mother would disparage me to anyone who would listen - and many did. (This practice started at my birth and continued through until my mid-teens when I stopped engaging.) It was Eleanor’s example and her consistently kind defence of me that gave me much strength in my early- to mid-teens. She wanted me to know I could be who I wanted to be and didn’t have to be who my mother (falsely) claimed I was. Eleanor took the time to get to know me and not the stories she had been told. She always had an opinion and never backed down when she was protecting those she loved. I was blessed to have her in my corner, always.
From the time I was 17, Bill was a constant presence in my life - I was thunderstruck when I first met him and that feeling has never gone away. Later on, he would regularly appear in my Facebook Messenger right when I needed his encouraging words and profound wisdom. He was the most gentle soul I had ever encountered. A combination of wise, flirty, and naive, he always brought out the very best in me. Whenever I doubted who I was, he showed up and encouraged me to be more of the best parts. Over the years we had both done a lot of work so that we would be the best of ourselves for those around us. I can only hope that everyone experiences the same deep and abiding love we found with each other. He taught me that I am loveable and encouraged me to stay open to the possibility of loving again. (I’m leaving that to him.)
All three of these key people, true guardian angels in my life, have passed away - they are thought about and missed by me every day. I was blessed with them in my life, their unconditional love and kindness were valued blessings. I live my life in the hope that I continue to be worthy of their presence in mine.