I'm not entirely sure what miracles look like and I'm also not entirely sure I have witnessed a miracle but I do know one thing is for sure, God has been very prevalent in my best friend, Angela's, life.
As a disclaimer I would like to say that the story I am about to tell is through MY eyes. In no way, shape, or form did she have anything to do with the views I am about to express.
If I could choose one word to describe Angela (which is hard because I can think of about a dozen words that would easily describe her) but, if I could choose JUST ONE it would be STRONG. Now, let me explain myself. I have known Angela for about three years now and thankfully has got to see many different sides of her. I have got to see a very strong personality, a strong sense of right and wrong, I've seen her be very strong willed along with having very strong or firm opinions. I have seen Angela stand strong in her beliefs about motherhood and raising her daughter but most obvious to me is I have seen Angela remain very strong in her emotions.
Angela is a rock. A rock that if you try to budge, you will struggle. She has a foundation beneath her that many events in her life have contributed to.
Such events like never having a true Father figure. Men have literally jumped in and out of her life since before she was even born. Angela, in turn, has grown to be a very independent person with out them.
We have often found ourselves making jokes out of situations like what her last name would of been had she of had a Father. Jokes that mask a greater issue.
It wasn't until about, well, not even a year ago that Angela asked me to help her in the search for her Dad. Talk about jumping through hoops. She landed on a website where she thought she had found a match. With a big thanks to her Mom who provided us with any information about him that she could remember, or wanted to remember, we were able to piece some parts of her past back together.
After e-mailing who she thought was her Father and not receiving an e-mail back we obtained an address and decided we were Colorado bound to find him.
"Are you ready for this?" I asked Angela, "umm no Jacki, how does someone get 'ready' for this," she said.
And she was exactly right. How in Gods name does someone get ready to meet someone who essentially wanted nothing to do with them when they were born, and here she is going to knock on a door only to hope it doesn't close and soon as it opens.
After several knocks, the wrong door, and close to 50 phone calls to places he used to work, WE FOUND HIS HOUSE. I can only speak for myself when I say I was near a panic attack walking up to his door. I literally could hardly put together words and my teeth were chattering as if I was the one who was possibly going to meet my biological father. As for Angela, I'm almost positive she was about to faint.
After knocking on his door, no one answered. We decided to talk to a neighbor two doors down because we NEEDED to hear something positive, we needed some positive reassurance that it was his door. The neighbor then informed us that her Dad had moved because of work. Although that news was disappointing in some respects his neighbor confirmed all the information we had found online, not only that, he had a way to get a hold of him as well. Just to put things into perspective for you we are standing in front of a stranger explaining why were are trying to find him, I'm bawling hysterically and Angela is standing there, shell shocked, nervous laughing, STRONG.
After calling more King Soopers (his place of employment) and even trying his cell phone number, we were back to a waiting game after figuring out he was on vacation for another couple of days.
One would think that after waiting close to 23 years, a couple of days wouldn't be hard at all. The anticipation on Angela's face is one I will NEVER forget. The way she checked her phone, very hopefully every time it sounded is one I will NEVER forget.
This moment would make or break her though. She didn't expect much from him but we both knew what she needed was a positive experience from this, a glimpse of hope.
Finally she received the phone call that would change her life forever. A biological Father that was full of sorry's and open arms. A man whom she had longed to know that was ready to mend any heartache he had caused in the last 23 years. A man who, well lets face it, stepped up and became a MAN in Angela's life.
As they exchanged stories and information about each others lives I saw a face of doubt turn into a smile that I haven't seen in the three years I have known her.
I think it is safe to say we all know someone who has to jump through hoops from the second they open their eyes to the second the close their eyes. Nothing goes right, and life always resorts to fixing problems and taking the long route. Although, finding him was like jumping through rings of fire, FINALLY something is paying off. Finally all the hard work ended in a relationship that she has subconsciously longed for.
"What do I wear to meet my Dad??? Most kids are naked the first time their Dad sees them but I don't think that would be appropriate" she said.
I couldn't be happier for Angela. I cannot thank God enough for placing so much courage and strength in her. It takes one hell of a person to be a full time student, full time single Mother, and work full time but it takes a STRONG person to have the courage to step into someones life who once stepped out.
I love you Angela, and congratulations you deserve it.
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