There Are Angels in My Life Who Keep Their Wings Hidden

I know that there are angels in my life. I am certain of this because I saw feathers this weekend.

Saturdays are usually our busiest days here in Alto Cayma. Saturdays are the days in which we have a total group meeting with every sponsoree (and usually their family), youth group meetings, English classes, college sponsorship meetings, etc. This past Saturday, like every other, was busy.

I arrived at the church where we have our monthly meetings, and within two minutes of setting foot inside the nave, my stomach started gurgling. Nothing hurt, but it was an odd, rolling, sea-sick feeling. I ignored it because I was trying to round up my English class - the kids and I were singing two songs in English at the beginning of the meeting.

I ended up throwing up before the kids took the stage. Thankfully, I was able to help direct the group with my partner in crime and coteacher, Isela, and I barely made it through "The More We Get Together" and "Shake Another Hand" before I sprinted to bathroom again. At this point, I was simply confused. What in the world did I do to myself? It was a little ridiculous. One hour later, though, I was still making regular trips to the bathroom - until finally I decided simply stretching out on the bathroom floor was more efficient. Isela sat with me the entire time. She even ran to the store to get gum so that I could get that awful sick taste out of my mouth. And when I realized that I just wanted to be in Peruvian home in my Peruvian bed instead of on a church floor in Alto Cayma, Isela took a taxi with me and made sure I got home okay. She even held a bag for me when I sick in the car. Angel #1.

I got home and things seemed to settle for a little bit. I changed into pajamas but immediately started getting cold chills. Thinking I had a fever, a rummaged around for the farenheit thermometer mom bought me a year and a half ago before I left for Europe. I was shocked to see that my body temperature was 93.1. At this point, I was already curled up under two wool blankets and comforter on my bed. Unfortunately, I couldn't stay that way for long because my stomach kept rolling.

It got to the point where I was making a trip to the bathroom every twenty minutes - for vomiting and diarrhea. Then, I would pass out on my bed for ten to fifteen minutes, and begin again.

After about two hours of this, my host mom said, "Meghan, I think you need to go to the hospital." "Charo," I told her, "I want one more hour." I have spent some time in emergency rooms thanks to my accident prone nature - usually for broken bones and stitches, but I have never actually been to a hospital for medicine and IVs and such. The idea of going to a hospital in Peru didn't make my stomach feel any better. However, after an hour, I realized that this was not going to get better on its own. "Charo," I told her, "Vamos."

I sat with my host mom in the hospital for about thirty minutes before I was seen - not too bad all things considered! I knew that I was really dehyrdated and I remember asking everyone (doctors, nurses, people in the hallway) if I could please have some water. Thankfully, I didn't have to wait long --- I was immediately hooked up to an IV and, over a period of a couple of hours, had almost 2 liters of water added to my system. The doctors were also quick to wrap me up in warm blankets. What a difference water and a little warmth makes! I was nowhere near 100%, but I felt like a new person.

As I lay in the bed in a room I shared with several other sick people in the middle of the night on Saturday, I kept apologizing to my host mom. "Charo, Disculpame," I told her. "I am so sorry that I am keeping you up." Charo's response, "You're my daughter. Where else would I be?" Angel #2.

I was too sick and tired to wish that I were at home. It didn't matter where I was, I just wanted to feel better. In the hospital, Gloria called to check on me because she hadn't heard from me since I had gone home that afternoon. Charo spoke with her first, and then passed the phone to me. I don't remember anything that I said to her, but I do remember her saying to me in English, "I love you." Angel #3. That was exactly what I needed to hear.

The doctors ran some tests, and ended up sending me home with tests to take care of in the morning. It turns out that I had a stomach infection. My doctor was unsure whether or not I had a parasite --- so he decided to treat for everything. I have antibiotics, pain medicine, anti-nausea medicine, a sedative to help me sleep, and a pill that helps build good and healthy bacteria up in my system --- and guess how much all that cost? Just under $80 (including the hospital visit!). I was shocked.

The doctor told me I should rest for three days, but after that, I was fine to do what I wanted. On Sunday, I slept pretty much around the clock. Today (Monday) was day #2 of rest, and it was definitely healing. Tomorrow, however, I think I might climb the walls. I am feeling much, much better.

Some of you may know that I have a fascination with angels. I love the image of Michael the Archangel protecting people, and I love to read Gabriel's messages during Advent and at Chrismtas time. One of my favorite verses is from Hebrews 13:2 --- "Don't neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it."

There are angels in my life who have shown me love and grace. They don't look like angels from the outside, but I am certain it's only because they've found a way to keep their wings hidden.