Page 14 - Giv'er Miramichi magazine - Christmas 2018

How An Angel Changed My Life by C.P.

Six years ago, I lost my children, my frayed and haywire nerves. She enough to send me my very own angel
the little bit of self-esteem I had, and my then patiently encouraged me to to help me believe in not only Him and
freedom. I was twenty-nine years old, continue and I did. myself, but in humanity also. No matter
and I was remanded for ten months, Every day, with Joy’s support, how I acted, what I thought or how I
awaiting sentencing. I felt hopeless! encouragement and optimism, I felt, Joy never gave up on me.
After a few months of progressed. Within a couple of weeks,
incarceration, I became so bored that I I, too, could start to see improvement.
decided to attend the G.E.D. program at I was elated!
the jail. I knew in advance that I would It was around this time that there
struggle with Math because I always was a province-wide essay competition
have. What did surprise me, however, about how taking the G.E.D. class has
was my struggle with writing; I had changed our lives. Now Joy, being Joy,
excelled at it during my entire encouraged everyone in the class to
childhood. write an essay, but for some reason, she
You see, writing is my true love; it’s put a special emphasis on me producing
my safe place. Writing is where the one. I was hesitant at first, but because
whimsical comes to life and happily- of Joy’s relentlessness, I, too, wrote an
ever-afters do come true, so not to be essay.
able to put pen to paper in any kind of A couple of weeks later, I walked
order was devastating! into class and Joy was beaming and
antsier than usual. When we were all
seated, she excitedly proceeded to tell Joy always said that if she could
us that I had won third place in the change one person’s life, it would make
competition. I was shocked and everything she does worth-while. Well,
speechless! I had received a I can now proudly say that I’m a writer.
personalized letter from the children’s No matter where I am or what I’m
author, Sheree Fitch, a book and one doing, I will always write. Joy has
hundred dollars as well. definitely changed my life!
For the first time in my life, three There are no words to adequately
amazing things happened to me: I felt express my gratitude for the impact she
proud of myself for something I had has had on me; but now, because of her,
I wanted to give up within the first earned because I am talented enough to I aspire to be as optimistic,
ten minutes of class – right after I threw earn it; second, that someone believed encouraging, helpful, but above all else,
a temper tantrum that would rival any in me enough to encourage me, albeit patient with others. This is how an angel
toddler! Sensing my frustration, my incessantly, I might add, and not give up changed my life.
teacher, Joy, calmly approached me on me; and the third amazing thing is
and, with her gentle demeanor, calmed the realization that God loved me

14 www.GiverMiramichi.com Christmas 2018