‘An angel appeared in my life when I needed her the most’

While I was overseas in May 2018, a new neighbour moved into the house next door. Her name is Angela, the English version of her name Mariangela.

Angela arrived in Australia from Catalonia (a region in the north-east of Spain), with her husband, Clem. The family had first arrived in Melbourne. Angela and Clem had a toddler and she was pregnant with her second child. She was 21 years old and she spoke no English. There were many challenges for Angela and Clem.

Eventually, Angela and her family relocated to Brisbane; there were now three sons to raise and educate. Clem was an electrician, Angela was a registered nurse.

Sadly, Clem passed away two years ago from cancer. She lost her home (due to financial reasons) and moved into the house next door to me. She is 66 years of age.

After only a few weeks of living next door, Angela and I started getting to know each other, but soon after she returned to Spain to visit her 97-year-old mother, two of her sons, her brothers and her sisters in Barcelona. I was delighted when she returned and our friendship continued.

Just how valuable Angela’s friendship had become was made clear to me when I had an operation in November 2018. Without hesitation (or me even having to ask), Angela took me to appointments, brought me home from the hospital, took my ‘vital signs’ twice daily, and dressed my wounds. I am honestly not sure how I would have or could have managed without her.

‘Angel’, as I affectionately refer to her, is one of the most loving, caring, giving and compassionate women I have ever known. She did (and is still doing) for me, what my own family could not. Her love for her family and their love for her is so evident, and I look forward to getting to know them too. I am so thankful that this unexpected angel came into my life!

Has there been or is there an ‘angel’ in your life? How have they made an impact?

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