A Mrs. Miracle Christmas(7)

The question hung in the air. “Are you an angel?”

Mrs. Miracle’s entire face glowed.

Helen shook her head, needing to clear her thoughts. “Where are your wings? Aren’t you supposed to have a pair of wings and dress in a white robe?”

Mrs. Miracle laughed heartily. “Oh heavens, no. Can you imagine the ruckus I’d cause if I walked down the street in that getup?”

“But…”

“I’m a different sort of angel, a Caring Angel.”

That name was familiar. Helen recalled that it was the name of the home-companion agency. She tried to make sense of all this new information. “Are all the home companions from the agency angels like you?” Surely someone would have figured it out before now, she reasoned. This would have been big news, broadcast around the world.

“No, just me. I came here especially for you.”

Helen’s hand flew to her chest. “For me? Why me?”

“My dear,” Mrs. Miracle explained, “you’ve been praying, and God heard your prayers. He sent me to be with you.”

    Still skeptical, Helen felt the need to find out more. “That’s all well and good, and please don’t think I’m being ungrateful, but my prayers have been for my granddaughter, not for me.”

“Yes. Yes, I know.”

“Her faith is weak, and who can blame her? My Laurel has been through so much.”

“I know all about your granddaughter and her husband’s trials to start a family.”

That Mrs. Miracle knew this shouldn’t have surprised Helen, if indeed she was an angel. But it sure seemed to Helen that this woman was privy to a lot of personal information, angel or not.

“Laurel might have lost her faith,” the caregiver continued, “but you haven’t. You’ve kept on trusting and praying.”

Helen had relentlessly prayed for her granddaughter and her husband, Zach. Her heart had broken for them when they’d had no choice but to relinquish Jonathan to his birth father. Helen had watched her granddaughter’s faith crumble once the baby had been removed from their home. But Helen had refused to stop petitioning God on behalf of her granddaughter, or to let go of the dream she had of seeing her great-grandchild in Laurel’s arms.

    Helen’s heart beat hard and fast to the point that she was afraid she might faint. “With you coming to take care of me…does that mean Laurel and Zach are going to have a baby?”

“I wouldn’t be here otherwise,” Mrs. Miracle confirmed. “A special baby girl is about to be born, and that baby is meant for your granddaughter and her husband.”

“Oh, thank you, thank you,” Helen replied, tears of joy filling her eyes. “But why did God have Laurel wait for so long?” Despite her fading memory, Helen would never forget holding her granddaughter closely as she wept tears of loss and discouragement after each failed fertility treatment. Helen had felt inadequate, wanting desperately to comfort the precious granddaughter she’d raised. She knew the pain had cut deep into Laurel’s soul.

Pulling out the chair and sitting down across from Helen, Mrs. Miracle gently took her hands. “The baby hasn’t arrived yet, but she will be here soon. You’ll get to see Laurel with her baby, and witness her happiness, all in due time.”

Tears of joy filled Helen’s eyes, and she wanted to ask more, but she was interrupted.

“But enough of what the future holds for Laurel and Zach. Time to focus on you. You’ve got some knitting to do, and while we’re working, let’s make a list of things you’d like to do now that you have me by your side.”

    The unbelievably great news carried Helen all throughout the rest of the day. The hours slipped by quickly as the two women knitted, made plans, and got to know each other better.



* * *



—

Dinner was roasting in the oven when Laurel arrived home from her day at school.

“Whatever you’re cooking, it smells divine,” she said, shrugging off her coat and hanging it in the hallway.

“It’s an old family recipe from way back. I believe I got it from Eve,” Mrs. Miracle explained, crossing paths with Laurel as she headed for the door for her scarf and coat.

Laurel didn’t question the comment, although Helen was certain the “Eve” that Mrs. Miracle had mentioned quite possibly had been married to an “Adam.”

“You’re welcome to stay and eat with us, if you’d like,” Laurel said before she walked over to kiss her grandmother’s cheek. “Did you have a good day, Nana?”

“You wouldn’t believe the fun we had!”

“I appreciate the offer,” Mrs. Miracle said, “but I need to head home.”

“Of course.” Laurel followed her to the front door and saw her out.

The two talked on the front porch for a few moments before Mrs. Miracle left. Laurel returned to her grandmother’s side, looking relaxed and at ease.

    “How was your day at school?” Helen was ready to burst with the news of what she’d learned from the caregiver.

“Wonderful.” Laurel sat on the ottoman in front of Helen’s chair. “I’ve been working with my class, getting them ready for the holiday program. Their performance is scheduled right before the holiday break.”