Room for Angels

Most people, even other collectors, are pretty impressed that my angel room houses over 1,200 figurines, plates, pieces of jewelry, signs and pictures.

I can hardly believe it myself, especially since I never imagined becoming a collector. But one day, at age 16, my appendix burst—a painful and frightening experience! I was lucky to make it to the hospital. After the operation, my father gave me a porcelain angel to put by my bedside.

"You will always know the protection of angels," he promised me. I immediately felt more peaceful.

I loved the winged figurine, and soon everyone knew angels were the gift for me. Today my husband, my children and even my closest friend, Coreen—who gave me one of my most unusual angels, made out of corn husk—know there is always space in my angel room for one more of God's messengers of peace.

Recently my husband and I met two other angel collectors at a flea market. Bill happened to mention the size of my collection. "Can we come over and see it?" the women asked, wide-eyed.

After a few minutes in my angel room, the two agreed: "You are very protected."

They were right. Just like Dad had promised with that first porcelain angel, I have felt a measure of peace even during the hardest times of my life. Who knows? Maybe my flea-market friends were just another pair of angels, dropping down to remind me so.