Some of you might recall that I rescued this angel from a roadside junkyard that had put her in a box headed for the dump. I took her out and offered $5 for her, even though the junk dealer said I could have her for free.

I thought it would be demeaning, even insulting, to take her for free.

Maria has been moving the angel around – the barn, the apple tree, now Ed Gulley’s Tin Man, who might be an angel himself – and when I come across her, I take her picture.

This is our arrangement.

This morning, I came across my angel, sitting in plain sight right on the chest of the Tin Man.

Angels are worth something to me, I’ve been reading up on them in the Kabbalah, as I believe in their existence and believe they are very much in my life, good and bad.

This is what the Kabbalah, which I read nightly,  says about angels:

“Understanding how angels influence and affect our lives is imperative to spiritual growth. They are ever-present tools for transformation – we need only ask for their assistance. Whether or not you are conscious of them or accept them, angels will continue to influence your life and the lives of those around you. However, being aware of their existence gives us the opportunity to create joy and fulfillment in our lives and resist chaos.

There are both positive and negative angels at work all around us. Which angels you attract depends upon your actions. According to The Zohar, when you hurt someone, break trust or act cruelly, you beckon destructive angels in your life. Conversely, when you share openly and commit acts of loving-kindness, you attract positive angels and Light. Therefore, you are directly responsible for the angelic forces influencing your life.”

Because I am so preoccupied these days with committing acts of loving-kindness, I think the angel found me, or I found her. According to the Kabbalah, I attracted her, and I believe she is imperative towards my spiritual growth, just like the mystics suggested.

In recent years, I have found joy and fulfillment and steadfastly resisted chaos. I talk to the angels all the time, even if I can’t see them. They aren’t miracle workers, they don’t offer me a perfect life. They just guide and manipulate a bit towards good. They are no substitute for my own judgment and sense of right and wrong.

Angels can take the form of objects and people, or they can reveal themselves, as my angel has. Every time I commit a small act of great kindness, or the Army of Good does, we attract positive angels and light.

Every time a politician or friend or neighbor cruelly attacks someone or does something hateful, he or she draws destructive angels into their life, and they will be consumed by them.

Light ultimately wins out over dark every time, it is the great story of human beings.

Every time I find the angel and photograph her, Maria moves her and I wait to find her again. She will always, I think, be in open sight, ready to be seen.

According to Kabbalah, the mystical writings of the ancient Hebrews,  your Guardian Angel escorted your soul into this world at birth and travels at your side until your death. Throughout your life’s journey, your Guardian Angel is a friend, teacher, and spiritual partner steering you back on track when you stray.

The more you open yourself to his or her influence, the more Light you can bring into the world, the more positive connections you will make, the more doors that will open to you. They help us attain levels of consciousness and achievement that we couldn’t accomplish alone.

I’m open to my Guardian Angel, who got me this far against overwhelming odds, or any others that might be hovering around, waiting for me to wake up.