An Angel’s Comfort

That I fell was not surprising. My eyes had been blurry from crying. “Are you all right? Are you hurt?” I looked up into concerned, but stunning, eyes as a strong pair of hands placed me safely back onto the walking trail.


I awkwardly laughed at my clumsiness. “I’m OK. Thanks,” I replied.


“If you’re sure, then.” He paused in hesitation, as I stood there in silence.

No, I was not sure. The truth was, I was not sure of anything much these days after experiencing recent hurtful events. Yet when I thought about it just now, I felt confident that, somehow, I would be all right.

The sudden change struck me as odd. As I looked at the gentleman, I got the impression that perhaps it was his calm manner and his gentle touch on my arm that might have made the difference. My outlook had been gray, like the dusk in the settling night, but I suddenly felt a calm peace within myself.


A soft mist of fog covered me in its invisible cloak as I looked down the street at the retreating back of the tall, handsome stranger. Somehow, he must have sensed my intense stare because he turned slightly while in mid-stride and smiled back at me; then he was gone.

“Oh, my goodness!” I whispered out loud. I rubbed my eyes. Surely it had been a trick of the night in combination with my sleep-deprived nerves. How ridiculous, but I could have sworn that I saw a pair of angel wings fan out from the stranger’s shoulder blades just before he turned the corner.

Was it only a coincidence that he should appear at the very moment that I felt so alone, full of despair, and needed help? I guess I will always wonder about what I really saw that evening. 

Though, with the passing of time, his handsome face has escaped my memory, there is no question that his kindness will always remain in my heart.

Kathleen Doll Cristofaro originally published this story in a 2023 issue of Woman’s World. She has kindly shared it with TAPS after realizing it might resonate with anyone who lends a hand of kindness in hard times, just like the staff, mentors, and volunteers at TAPS.

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