"I wish I had someone to play with me," Lisa said to Sweetie Pie as he jumped into her lap. Sweetie
Pie was Lisas little gray kitten, who was just a ball of fluff. Lisa hugged her kitten tightly, "I love you Sweetie
Pie. You are funny and you make me laugh when I dress you up in my doll clothes. But a real friend would be
nice to play with, too." Purring softly as if he understood, Sweetie Pie nestled in Lisas arms.
All of a sudden, a cricket caught the attention of Sweetie Pie and off he scampered to see if he could
catch it.
The little red-headed girl was very lonely. She lived on a farm out in the country and had no other children to play
with. There were many animals around, like cows, chickens and sheep, but they really werent much fun. She longed
for someone with whom she could share her time and her special thoughts.
Lisa would spend her days pretending her favorite doll, Annie,
was that special friend. At her tea parties with Annie,
they giggled their afternoons away. They would whisper secrets in each others ears and dress up in their mothers
clothes, pretending they were all grown up. But that was just make-believe, Lisa was still very lonely.
One day Lisa and her dad were in the barn milking the cows. Lisa spied Sweetie Pie watching her carefully and she
playfully squirted milk over his way as a little treat. He always hung around the barn when the milking was being
done hoping for a little fresh milk.
"Honey, I know living on a farm can be lonely sometimes" said Dad.
"Yes, especially in the summer when schools out" Lisa said. "I do miss my friends." Then looking
up at him with her emerald green eyes and smiling, she continued, "But I do like having the animals. Most kids
dont know what its like to raise their own cow. Thats cool!"
"I know what you mean honey, it was like that for me too."
"What did you do for friends Dad?" Lisa asked.
"Well, like you, I had pets to keep me occupied. You know, Sweetie Pie can be a very good listener. But dont
worry, sometimes your best friends can pop out of nowhere."
Lisa wondered what he meant, but busily helped her dad carry the milk into the house, with Sweetie Pie close behind.
As they approached the house, they could smell dinner.
"Smells like Mom out-did herself again!" Dad said with a big smile on his face.
Mom is a great cook. She could make the most ordinary meals delicious. But tonight will be a real treat, thought Lisa.
Smells like fried chicken - my favorite!.
Conversation was always brisk around the dinner table. Each one would take their time telling the others what they did
during the day. But after the dinner dishes were done was Lisas favorite time of the day.
That time was for Lisa and her mother. They would read books, all kinds of them. Sometimes Mom would read to Lisa and
other times Lisa would do the reading. Either way, it was always a wonderful time.
It was something they had done every
night since Lisa could remember. Then came bedtime.
Sometimes Lisa heard someone calling her name, but didnt see anyone. The sweet and loving voice called, " I S A..... L I S A."
It sounded familiar like the voice she heard in her dreams at night.
Every night after her prayers, she would ask, "Please God, send me someone special to be my friend and never leave me."
But tonight when she heard the voice calling again, she impatiently asked, "Who is calling me?" To her surprise she heard
the loving voice, stronger now, saying, "Its me, your Guardian Angel."
Lisa was filled with the most wonderful feelings of love and protection.
Tenderly, the angel continued, "My name is Angela. I chose you on the day you were born and have been watching over you.
I am here for you only and will always love and protect you. When you begin to feel lonely, lost or afraid, know I am here
and will comfort you."
Lisa looked up and saw a beautiful angel with delicate white wings surrounded by all the colors of the rainbow. Her long
auburn hair framed her glowing face and her crystal blue eyes were full of light.
"Believe in me with your whole heart. Call on me when you have a problem and I will help. Remember, you are not alone,
for I am here for you always, " said the angel.
Lisa fell asleep happily. For the first time, she realized she had a special angel by her side.
The next morning at breakfast she asked her mom, "Do you believe in guardian angels?"
Her mother smiled and looked at her little face sprinkled with freckles. As she hugged Lisa she said, "Of course I do.
Everyone has an angel just for them. They even come in different shapes and sizes just like people do. They are here to
protect us and watch over us forever. They even keep us company and comfort us when were lonely or sad. Our angels help
us in many ways that we are not even aware of. They are all loving and only want us to be happy."
From that day on, Lisa was never lonely.
Now she knew she had an Angel watching over her when she played or had a tea party.
Her angel, Angela, had given her a very special gift that nobody could take away from her - a friend.