Some moms just go to work, get a paycheck, and live a 9 to 5 “normal” life … and my kids were stuck with one who interpreted motherhood through a nomad’s lens, traveling from place to place, trying to connect to people with an angel pin … that’s right three little angels holding hands, a simple gold lapel pin.. A mom handing out bags of angel pins up and down the East Coast of America. Now is that something you want to tell your friends about?
”No, my mom doesn’t work. She travels around and gives out angel pins.” I could just picture my older children trying to explain my concept of balancing work and motherhood. while at the same time desperately trying to get back on her feet financially.
That’s what I was thinking when I walked into the emergency room of a city hospital, late at night. My plan was to just hop out of my van, grab a bag of angel pins from the trunk, and give them to the triage nurse in charge.
With four kids of my own, I had been in plenty of ERs and I knew it was stress you could live without. I recalled the frantic prayers and bargains I often made with God, while racing to the hospital after a call from a policeman that my child was en route to the emergency room. The one accident, when 21 people were taken to the hospital, was a nightmare.and the accident was pinned on my daughter. Lawsuits threatened my serenity for months. I repeated and even sang the words of the Serenity Prayer (to my own made-up tune) until my mouth was numb. I looked up to the blue sky that fall day and thought I actually saw her in the clouds. I sure needed to be prepared to accept the things I could not change .I remember the fear and panic while seated on the orange vinyl chairs, waiting for the news.
I saw a Down Syndrome little boy waiting outside the hospital and then a lady holding her bandaged head, a mom and dad hugging, not in a romantic way, it was more like a “this is the end of our world hug.”
I remembered the anguish in my heart when my then 18-year-old daughter, Katelyn, was airlifted to a trauma center and another time when my husband was near death at another hospital. I paced outside the van, with my emergency flashers blinking, wondering if I should even go in to this medical center. After all, going in to say I am here because I want to give out a little token of encouragement, sounds a little weird..
It was close to midnight and the lobby of a hotel was really the place to be – not the lobby of an emergency room – especially if you didn’t even have a medical reason to be there.
I said a half-hearted prayer and asked God to bless what I was doing -
because at this point I began to wonder if this was anybody’s will but my own. What was preying on my mind was a comment that one of my children said to me at an angry moment, just a few hours earlier.
“Nobody supports you on this angel pin thing – not Dad, not Grandma, not anybody. Everybody is talking behind your back.” I felt so bad that I almost made a tearful admission that maybe I am a nut … and this was all a waste of time and money.
I put that thought behind me and hung on to my friend’s parting words before I left for my 7000 mile trip. Frances had answered my query “What am I really going to do with all of these angel pins?” Who am I going to give them to?”
“They are preanointed. God will guide you. He knows where they are supposed to go. God gave you this gift, now go share it.”
I explained to the security guard what I wanted to do, just pass out angel pins to the people in the waiting room. He looked at me like I was from another planet and continued doing his paperwork. Before boldly walking in to the waiting room, I showed my basket of pins to another guard.
“Can I just go in and give these pins to the people in the waiting room? I am from Philadelphia and I am traveling around the country trying to spread joy. There was an article about it in your local newspaper.”
He looked at me like what I was saying was pretty-strange sounding but he sort of gave me the okay by turning his back away from me.
There were about thirty people seated around the room – all-silent, some transfixed reading the newspaper, one guy mumbling, and a homeless-looking elderly lady sorting through a strongbox of important papers. Most of the people looked like they needed hope.
“Would you like an angel pin?” I said to the lady holding her head.
She reached into the basket and took the TEAM OF ANGELS FOR HOPE.
“Do you need hope?”
“Yeah, my daughter does ‘cause she is trying to get her kids back.,” she answered me. “I just got beat in the head fifty times and the only thing I know to do is drink.”
I turned to the next person. “Do you want an angel pin?”
She and the man seated next to her took a handful from the basket.
“Our daughter wants to have a baby and she can’t conceive. We need hope that she can adopt.”
“My aunt and uncle are sick. My uncle isn’t expected to make it.”
I went from person to person and the angel pins seemed to be contagious. People began passing them around and talking one to another. A black woman passed one to a Vietnamese man and the smile between them said more than if they had been able to communicate. She prayed over me and asked for God’s blessing and traveling mercies for my journey.
“Are you in AA?” a young woman asked, “Because you gave me A TEAM OF ANGELS FOR ONE DAY AT A TIME. Can I have more for some of my friends at the meeting? My son, Ryan, went out to the car to bring in another basket.
I felt a tap on my shoulder.
“Can you give one to my mother in the wheelchair over there?”
The pins weren’t really that much – it was the message behind it - that made me feel happy. I watched the people share kindness, a little token of forget-me-nots. Yes, forget-me-nots, that’s what one lady called the pin. When you pass it along, it is a reminder that someone cares and that God forgets-me-not. I liked that thought.
Then there was the African-American woman whose folded arms screamed a message of “stay away from me.” She looked like she was about to make a snippy comment as I leaned forward and told her that I was not trying to sell her anything. She looked suspicious, no money? I held the angel pin toward her.
“This is for you,” I said. I gave her the pin: A TEAM OF ANGELS TO PROTECT MY LOVED ONES. She opened her heart and her crossed arms and thanked me, her suspicion melting.
“Are you sure you’re not soliciting for these?”
“No, maybe someday you can pass the pin along to someone else who needs it.”
It felt so good to touch strangers and clasp a few hands.
I watched a young man offer a kind word to an older man. It couldn’t have been more than fifteen minutes that I stayed in that room – but I witnessed goodness and kindness in a room filled with different cultures and races, a mix which in the outside world, can cause bitterness and war.
The message, We are all the same in God’s eyes, seemed to resonate in this room.
I was bewildered by what had just happened. I saw respect and caring for one another where moments before no one had been talking.
The tension in the room seemed to lessen.
“Okay,” I said to myself, “my half-hearted silent prayer worked . I felt like I was finding the takers of the pre-anointed pins.”
I never saw a nurse or the security guards again but I saw a group of nameless people, some with faces as wrinkled as raisins, with home lives probably as frantic as a police chase, helping one another get through a tough time.
Thank you, God and Frances for the special people in this room who were pre-anointed.
Now, I can face my kids … the wandering mom has 1500 more miles to go, a little bit of money, and a lot of enthusiasm. “
C’mon, Ryan. It’s time to hit the road! It’s been a delightful day.”
Monday, December 11, 2006
Patricia Gallagher brings team of angels to West VA
How do you get on the television news in Wheeling, West Virginia? For me, it was in a very unlikely way. Phyllis called in response to an article in her local newspaper. The headline caption read WOMAN TRAVELING WITH ‘A PASS IT ALONG TEAM OF ANGELS FOR OTHERS.’
She asked how she could obtain some for the evangelism committee of her church. I suggested we meet at Perkins Restaurant. I didn’t know what she looked like so I asked each person entering “Are you Phyllis?’ as they walked into the pancake house. With each “no” I explained what I was doing, passing out angel pins, and asking folks to pass it along – when they see someone in need of a lift. They each shared a need with me.
“My sister-in-law just passed away. I just attended her funeral with my mother.”
“My husband drinks a lot and I can’t handle it.”
“This missing poster is the daughter of my friend.”
(Something inside of me ripped apart looking at the photo and description –terror shot through me.)
“My twelve-year-old grandson is in the middle of a sticky divorce and my daughter-in-law is trying to rake my son over the coals.”
A seventy-six-year-old lady was upset that her 54-year-old daughter was not practicing the faith in which she was raised. “My husband and I go to church every day…what did we do wrong?”
“My nephew is about to go to Iraq.”
Then Phyllis came in. She had a loving smile and a tender way of talking. She had experienced a lot of detours and difficult intersections in her life but maintained her “kindness style.” In a brief conversation she showed me that she was the type of woman who prayed for answers.
We just clicked. I gave her 121 pins. As we left the restaurant, lo and behold, she treated us to lunch and paid the check!
“After I left you,” Phyllis told me later, “I was so excited. I had to swing by the television news station. I had no connection to the news anchor, Lee Anne Towne, but with so much bad stuff happening in the world, I thought this would be a great human interest story – how often do we have an angel lady in our town?”
About ten minutes later, the Channel 7 News invited me to come to the studio. They aired the interview on the both the late night evening and early morning news.
Phyllis called me last week. She shared how she was using the pins, which some call tiny treasures.
“The pass it along team of angels project is still so new to me. I am excited about passing out the pins to people who are sad and blue. I am bubbling over. I decided that whenever I hear of someone who is going though a tragedy I would bring him or her an angel pin. I am so glad the newspaper had the article. I just want you to know that I am not “wasting” them. . Today, I went to visit an older lady and brought her cookies. I didn’t give her a pin. I have to really decide how to share these blessings. I didn’t think she was the type to pass it along.”
I knew what she meant by that – my vision is to give my angel pins to people who are carrying heavy loads, crying troubled tears, and need the strength to just take that next step on the difficult path they must travel.
Another note from Phyllis arrived just when I was beginning to wonder whether the whole angel pin project made any sense.
Right now I am holding onto a lot of the pins, waiting for opportunities to give them to people or send them out. My friend and I are sending out a few to people in our church because they have problems or sickness in their lives. I also took two pins to the grocery store because the lady who works there asked me to bring one in and give to one of the other workers, as she was flying to Europe with her sister and was really afraid of flying, so I told her to wear her pin and it would calm her. Then I gave one to a lady I met at the doctor’s office because I felt for a young person she has had a lot of problems.
“I know you will find one hundred and twenty-one people traveling through stormy seas, detours and difficult life intersections. I know you will, with your warm loving heart and the tiny treasures. I have no doubt that Someone will guide you – you won’t ‘waste’ a single one,” I reassured Phyllis.
I will keep you up to date on how I use the pins. Maybe I shouldn't be, but I am very selective on how I use the pins. It's like they seem very magical and holy to me.
Okay, Phyllis, let’s do it!
She asked how she could obtain some for the evangelism committee of her church. I suggested we meet at Perkins Restaurant. I didn’t know what she looked like so I asked each person entering “Are you Phyllis?’ as they walked into the pancake house. With each “no” I explained what I was doing, passing out angel pins, and asking folks to pass it along – when they see someone in need of a lift. They each shared a need with me.
“My sister-in-law just passed away. I just attended her funeral with my mother.”
“My husband drinks a lot and I can’t handle it.”
“This missing poster is the daughter of my friend.”
(Something inside of me ripped apart looking at the photo and description –terror shot through me.)
“My twelve-year-old grandson is in the middle of a sticky divorce and my daughter-in-law is trying to rake my son over the coals.”
A seventy-six-year-old lady was upset that her 54-year-old daughter was not practicing the faith in which she was raised. “My husband and I go to church every day…what did we do wrong?”
“My nephew is about to go to Iraq.”
Then Phyllis came in. She had a loving smile and a tender way of talking. She had experienced a lot of detours and difficult intersections in her life but maintained her “kindness style.” In a brief conversation she showed me that she was the type of woman who prayed for answers.
We just clicked. I gave her 121 pins. As we left the restaurant, lo and behold, she treated us to lunch and paid the check!
“After I left you,” Phyllis told me later, “I was so excited. I had to swing by the television news station. I had no connection to the news anchor, Lee Anne Towne, but with so much bad stuff happening in the world, I thought this would be a great human interest story – how often do we have an angel lady in our town?”
About ten minutes later, the Channel 7 News invited me to come to the studio. They aired the interview on the both the late night evening and early morning news.
Phyllis called me last week. She shared how she was using the pins, which some call tiny treasures.
“The pass it along team of angels project is still so new to me. I am excited about passing out the pins to people who are sad and blue. I am bubbling over. I decided that whenever I hear of someone who is going though a tragedy I would bring him or her an angel pin. I am so glad the newspaper had the article. I just want you to know that I am not “wasting” them. . Today, I went to visit an older lady and brought her cookies. I didn’t give her a pin. I have to really decide how to share these blessings. I didn’t think she was the type to pass it along.”
I knew what she meant by that – my vision is to give my angel pins to people who are carrying heavy loads, crying troubled tears, and need the strength to just take that next step on the difficult path they must travel.
Another note from Phyllis arrived just when I was beginning to wonder whether the whole angel pin project made any sense.
Right now I am holding onto a lot of the pins, waiting for opportunities to give them to people or send them out. My friend and I are sending out a few to people in our church because they have problems or sickness in their lives. I also took two pins to the grocery store because the lady who works there asked me to bring one in and give to one of the other workers, as she was flying to Europe with her sister and was really afraid of flying, so I told her to wear her pin and it would calm her. Then I gave one to a lady I met at the doctor’s office because I felt for a young person she has had a lot of problems.
“I know you will find one hundred and twenty-one people traveling through stormy seas, detours and difficult life intersections. I know you will, with your warm loving heart and the tiny treasures. I have no doubt that Someone will guide you – you won’t ‘waste’ a single one,” I reassured Phyllis.
I will keep you up to date on how I use the pins. Maybe I shouldn't be, but I am very selective on how I use the pins. It's like they seem very magical and holy to me.
Okay, Phyllis, let’s do it!
PARENTS OF CHILD IN PRISON
The call began with a mother’s soft voice, a bit hesitant about sharing the hurtful events in her life. Self-disclosure to a stranger takes a lot of courage. This mom had surrendered her burdens to God and said almost in a whisper, “We just take it one day at a time”
“I read about what your are doing and wondered if you are still in the area passing out angel pins. I need a team of angels here in South Carolina.”
She shared some of the hardships her family has experienced including the isolation, estrangement and alienation of her twin daughters, who, in the midst of a teenage rebellion, ran away.
The FBI had investigated her one daughter’s arrest for prostitution and drug dealing, and her twenty-year old daughter, Flossie was now serving prison time, her husband has panic attacks and her own bouts with anxiety have escalated. Add her child’s bipolar disorder, her own mother battling the final stages of lung cancer, and an unplanned child to raise –it was almost unimaginable.
“I don’t know what happened – we didn’t raise her that way” - the shame of the less than perfect home-sweet-home for a Christian family. .
Alex and Ann are fifty-five year old parents who thought their childrearing days were over. Ann thought that her days of cleaning the house daily and running to the store for baby supplies were behind her. She thought she had moved on to the stage of moving a daughter into a college dorm. God had other plans.
They are now raising Flossie’s daughter’s baby, born right before her sentencing hearing for a serious crime. Flossie’s term in federal prison is 45 years.
“Our daughter’s two year old son is the light of our lives now but the sad part is that my daughter will never get to raise him. I take pictures every day and send them to her and I am keeping a scrapbook.”
Once a week, Flossie is allowed to make a collect call for three minutes. The first two minutes, the grandmother and her daughter talk and the last minute she puts the phone up to the little boy’s so he will know his mother’s voice.”
They began searching for help for Flossie when she was eighteen; there was a lot of tension in the house when Flossie decided that she didn’t want to take her bipolar medication anymore. She began to hang out with a group of kids who were experimenting with drugs and alcohol. She ran off with them and although the parents did everything they could to catch up with her – because they loved her so much – she was always one step ahead of them. They even contacted Adult Protective Services because they had hit rock bottom with their fears for her safety while she was not on her medication.
“I felt like I was going to blow up and then melt down…and never be able to get up again,” her mother recalled.
When Flossie called after almost a year’s absence, her mother hoped that her wayward daughter wanted to come home.
“Mom, I am about to have a baby and I am in prison. She asked her mother to come and get the baby…and raise it. Ann couldn’t make such a decision without consulting her husband who was out of town on business.
His response “There is money in the bank from our income tax…. go make yourself a nursery.”
“And how is your daughter now?” I asked.
“She has good days and bad days. Three days a week she has counseling to reduce stress and anxiety and attends an in-prison recovery group meeting. The other days, she is depressed. She says ‘Mom, I dream every night that I am lost in a deep forest or that I fell into an empty swimming pool and I can’t climb out. I keep slipping on wet leaves ”
My heart ached. I could clearly feel the daughter’s terror of being lost in the forest, no chance of seeing the light of the blue sky, no chance of raising her little boy in the light blue overalls. No chance of walking in the park and pointing out the sun to the little boy with the clear blue eyes.
I sent the mom a lot of angel pins. Since Flossie is not allowed to have sharp objects like the lapel pins, I mailed lots of bookmarks with the poem:
A TEAM OF ANGELS FOR THE OVERWHELMED
I need a team of angels, Lord
I don’t think one will do
Please send me all the help from high
For what I’m going through
Guardians to watch over me
And help my soul to cope
I’ll do the best I can to pray
And cherish gifts of faith and hope
“And what has changed in your life now, Ann?”
“Everything,” she responded to my question. “We have had to embrace change, pray more, rely on God and we feel so much joy. Our little surprise grandson has made our family closer. I have so much compassion for my daughter who feels defeated and confused. My church friends and I pray constantly for God to be with her every second of the day. I am praying for a miracle.”
Let’s all pray for Flossie’s miracle too.
“I read about what your are doing and wondered if you are still in the area passing out angel pins. I need a team of angels here in South Carolina.”
She shared some of the hardships her family has experienced including the isolation, estrangement and alienation of her twin daughters, who, in the midst of a teenage rebellion, ran away.
The FBI had investigated her one daughter’s arrest for prostitution and drug dealing, and her twenty-year old daughter, Flossie was now serving prison time, her husband has panic attacks and her own bouts with anxiety have escalated. Add her child’s bipolar disorder, her own mother battling the final stages of lung cancer, and an unplanned child to raise –it was almost unimaginable.
“I don’t know what happened – we didn’t raise her that way” - the shame of the less than perfect home-sweet-home for a Christian family. .
Alex and Ann are fifty-five year old parents who thought their childrearing days were over. Ann thought that her days of cleaning the house daily and running to the store for baby supplies were behind her. She thought she had moved on to the stage of moving a daughter into a college dorm. God had other plans.
They are now raising Flossie’s daughter’s baby, born right before her sentencing hearing for a serious crime. Flossie’s term in federal prison is 45 years.
“Our daughter’s two year old son is the light of our lives now but the sad part is that my daughter will never get to raise him. I take pictures every day and send them to her and I am keeping a scrapbook.”
Once a week, Flossie is allowed to make a collect call for three minutes. The first two minutes, the grandmother and her daughter talk and the last minute she puts the phone up to the little boy’s so he will know his mother’s voice.”
They began searching for help for Flossie when she was eighteen; there was a lot of tension in the house when Flossie decided that she didn’t want to take her bipolar medication anymore. She began to hang out with a group of kids who were experimenting with drugs and alcohol. She ran off with them and although the parents did everything they could to catch up with her – because they loved her so much – she was always one step ahead of them. They even contacted Adult Protective Services because they had hit rock bottom with their fears for her safety while she was not on her medication.
“I felt like I was going to blow up and then melt down…and never be able to get up again,” her mother recalled.
When Flossie called after almost a year’s absence, her mother hoped that her wayward daughter wanted to come home.
“Mom, I am about to have a baby and I am in prison. She asked her mother to come and get the baby…and raise it. Ann couldn’t make such a decision without consulting her husband who was out of town on business.
His response “There is money in the bank from our income tax…. go make yourself a nursery.”
“And how is your daughter now?” I asked.
“She has good days and bad days. Three days a week she has counseling to reduce stress and anxiety and attends an in-prison recovery group meeting. The other days, she is depressed. She says ‘Mom, I dream every night that I am lost in a deep forest or that I fell into an empty swimming pool and I can’t climb out. I keep slipping on wet leaves ”
My heart ached. I could clearly feel the daughter’s terror of being lost in the forest, no chance of seeing the light of the blue sky, no chance of raising her little boy in the light blue overalls. No chance of walking in the park and pointing out the sun to the little boy with the clear blue eyes.
I sent the mom a lot of angel pins. Since Flossie is not allowed to have sharp objects like the lapel pins, I mailed lots of bookmarks with the poem:
A TEAM OF ANGELS FOR THE OVERWHELMED
I need a team of angels, Lord
I don’t think one will do
Please send me all the help from high
For what I’m going through
Guardians to watch over me
And help my soul to cope
I’ll do the best I can to pray
And cherish gifts of faith and hope
“And what has changed in your life now, Ann?”
“Everything,” she responded to my question. “We have had to embrace change, pray more, rely on God and we feel so much joy. Our little surprise grandson has made our family closer. I have so much compassion for my daughter who feels defeated and confused. My church friends and I pray constantly for God to be with her every second of the day. I am praying for a miracle.”
Let’s all pray for Flossie’s miracle too.
AA - ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS - 12 STEP RECOVERY
“Hello, Mrs. Gallagher, my name is Mike and I received one of your Team of Angels pins when I came out of prison. I felt like it was a sign from my Higher Power. I am just calling to let you know what I did with the angel pin, because I know the message says to pass it along.”
Throughout life, he had been caught up in a lot of family problems and alcohol had been his means of coping. He had an impressive six years sober but the demands of taking care of a mother with dementia had drawn him back to his unhealthy old habits.
“After mom’s passing, I was devastated. I lost my sobriety and was arrested for a DUI. It wasn’t the first, I am ashamed to say, and my lawyer and family couldn’t cover for any more of my bad decisions. I had to go to jail.”
The message was on my answering machine. I wondered what the conversation would be about. Mike was in a Twelve Step recovery group and attended daily Alcoholic Anonymous meetings. He had seen a young woman, very distraught, walking to her car after the meeting. He went up to see if he could help. As she choked through her words, she explained she had terror-filled nights and painful bouts of depression, no medical insurance and couldn’t afford the right medicine – she had to depend on doctor’s samples, which were not dependable. As if that wasn’t bad enough, she couldn’t sleep because of her anxiety over the misery of a failed marriage. He gave her the Team of Angels pin for taking One Day at a Time. The following morning, she walked into the AA meeting room looking as proud as a peacock. She gave him a big smile and hug.
“Guess what, Mike”, she said happily, “I slept twelve hours last night after getting the pin.”
She was wearing the pin on a flamboyant green blouse with pink petunias.
“Joe, please don’t tell anyone but I am not going to pass this pin along…not until I am on the other side of this horrible disease.”
“Don’t worry, “ Joe told her, “ with that team of angels, you are well on your way to recovery. They worked for me and I know they will work for you too.”
Tears came to my eyes. What a blessing this little pin was for a struggling young woman! Thank you, God for giving this woman the gift of sleep, and for Mike passing along the Team of Angels!
Throughout life, he had been caught up in a lot of family problems and alcohol had been his means of coping. He had an impressive six years sober but the demands of taking care of a mother with dementia had drawn him back to his unhealthy old habits.
“After mom’s passing, I was devastated. I lost my sobriety and was arrested for a DUI. It wasn’t the first, I am ashamed to say, and my lawyer and family couldn’t cover for any more of my bad decisions. I had to go to jail.”
The message was on my answering machine. I wondered what the conversation would be about. Mike was in a Twelve Step recovery group and attended daily Alcoholic Anonymous meetings. He had seen a young woman, very distraught, walking to her car after the meeting. He went up to see if he could help. As she choked through her words, she explained she had terror-filled nights and painful bouts of depression, no medical insurance and couldn’t afford the right medicine – she had to depend on doctor’s samples, which were not dependable. As if that wasn’t bad enough, she couldn’t sleep because of her anxiety over the misery of a failed marriage. He gave her the Team of Angels pin for taking One Day at a Time. The following morning, she walked into the AA meeting room looking as proud as a peacock. She gave him a big smile and hug.
“Guess what, Mike”, she said happily, “I slept twelve hours last night after getting the pin.”
She was wearing the pin on a flamboyant green blouse with pink petunias.
“Joe, please don’t tell anyone but I am not going to pass this pin along…not until I am on the other side of this horrible disease.”
“Don’t worry, “ Joe told her, “ with that team of angels, you are well on your way to recovery. They worked for me and I know they will work for you too.”
Tears came to my eyes. What a blessing this little pin was for a struggling young woman! Thank you, God for giving this woman the gift of sleep, and for Mike passing along the Team of Angels!
DRUG AND ALCOHOL RECOVERY
It was about 11 pm when the life-changing event occurred. It happened in Boston, a northeastern inner city, one that looked eerie and sinister. I saw a flickering light in the distance and drove to see if it was an ambulance. I went up to the EMT in the parking lot and asked if the building a few hundred yards away was a hospital ER.
“That is a shelter,” she replied.
I told my son Ryan and his friend Tyler to keep the car doors locked as I gathered my angel pins and stuffed them into a bag. I walked over to a young woman sitting outside on a gritty looking step. With my heart thumping loudly. I smiled and said, “Do you want an angel pin? Do you need hope?”
Her eyes opened wide.
She was so pretty, dark hair, fair skin, about twenty-four years old…her outer appearance was beautiful. What was she doing here? The shelter was a detox facility and she was there for heroin addiction, she told me. She started out doing “percs” and the addiction progressed. I looked into her eyes. She could have been one of my daughters, I thought; how did this girl end up here. I stared into her eyes and imagined her as a sixth grade child, wearing flashy sneakers with neon laces. I pictured a happy, loving, outgoing girl. That inner self seemed hidden behind anxiety and shame. Her parents had her “sectioned” a few times and she had been in counseling. They had tried to help her, free her.
As I traveled from city to city, I met lots of people hurting and suffering from addictions. Often people gathered around, people from “the other side of the tracks,” those with many teeth missing, disheveled, a few looking wild and crazy from partying, and a lost-looking older ladies grumbling. They were people no different than you and me – just weathering their problems alone and with the burden of addiction. They needed a miracle – could my small team of angel pin be a symbol of compassion and support?
I passed out thousands of pins and rosaries to folks with bandannas tied around their heads, body piercings and lots of tattoos.
A staff member from this shelter came over and sorted through my plastic bags of pins. He said he would like to pass them to out-of-state relatives and patients at the support meetings, people desperately needing encouragement..
Back to the young girl - I told her I believed in her and that she was going to be okay.
“I’ll be praying for you, keep in touch, Lisa,” I said. She stood up to walk away. She could have been a runway model.
“I will call you,” she promised.
I talked to her about my young adult children and how I worried about them, experimenting with things I, as a fifty-something mother, didn’t approve of. I told her of my tirades, how I took it personally when my kids put their lives in jeopardy. I shared the sadness I felt when I couldn’t bridge the emotional gap between us and communication was excruciatingly painful.
“I used to yell terrible things at my mom but I didn’t really mean them. I just felt so badly about myself,” she told me.
As she turned to walk toward the nurse, she said softly “Don’t give up on your kids.” She came back and hugged me. I hope the choices that took her down this traumatic road are behind her. It broke my heart and made me feel desperately sad.
She is worth saving, God. Please help her. In unlikely places, from a stranger, close to midnight in a sweltering Massachusetts city, I learned new insights about being a mother. I am not in control.
As Lisa reminded me; Let go and Let God.
The gift wasn’t mine (the angel pin) to Lisa, it was she to me.
“That is a shelter,” she replied.
I told my son Ryan and his friend Tyler to keep the car doors locked as I gathered my angel pins and stuffed them into a bag. I walked over to a young woman sitting outside on a gritty looking step. With my heart thumping loudly. I smiled and said, “Do you want an angel pin? Do you need hope?”
Her eyes opened wide.
She was so pretty, dark hair, fair skin, about twenty-four years old…her outer appearance was beautiful. What was she doing here? The shelter was a detox facility and she was there for heroin addiction, she told me. She started out doing “percs” and the addiction progressed. I looked into her eyes. She could have been one of my daughters, I thought; how did this girl end up here. I stared into her eyes and imagined her as a sixth grade child, wearing flashy sneakers with neon laces. I pictured a happy, loving, outgoing girl. That inner self seemed hidden behind anxiety and shame. Her parents had her “sectioned” a few times and she had been in counseling. They had tried to help her, free her.
As I traveled from city to city, I met lots of people hurting and suffering from addictions. Often people gathered around, people from “the other side of the tracks,” those with many teeth missing, disheveled, a few looking wild and crazy from partying, and a lost-looking older ladies grumbling. They were people no different than you and me – just weathering their problems alone and with the burden of addiction. They needed a miracle – could my small team of angel pin be a symbol of compassion and support?
I passed out thousands of pins and rosaries to folks with bandannas tied around their heads, body piercings and lots of tattoos.
A staff member from this shelter came over and sorted through my plastic bags of pins. He said he would like to pass them to out-of-state relatives and patients at the support meetings, people desperately needing encouragement..
Back to the young girl - I told her I believed in her and that she was going to be okay.
“I’ll be praying for you, keep in touch, Lisa,” I said. She stood up to walk away. She could have been a runway model.
“I will call you,” she promised.
I talked to her about my young adult children and how I worried about them, experimenting with things I, as a fifty-something mother, didn’t approve of. I told her of my tirades, how I took it personally when my kids put their lives in jeopardy. I shared the sadness I felt when I couldn’t bridge the emotional gap between us and communication was excruciatingly painful.
“I used to yell terrible things at my mom but I didn’t really mean them. I just felt so badly about myself,” she told me.
As she turned to walk toward the nurse, she said softly “Don’t give up on your kids.” She came back and hugged me. I hope the choices that took her down this traumatic road are behind her. It broke my heart and made me feel desperately sad.
She is worth saving, God. Please help her. In unlikely places, from a stranger, close to midnight in a sweltering Massachusetts city, I learned new insights about being a mother. I am not in control.
As Lisa reminded me; Let go and Let God.
The gift wasn’t mine (the angel pin) to Lisa, it was she to me.
RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS
My dream to travel for the summer to pass out angel pins was on the verge of happening. This was not an all-expenses paid trip – this was being funded by the sale of my house and the bounty of a Discover credit card.
I had thought about pitching a tent and camping so that Ryan and I could do the 7000-mile trip on a budget. With the high cost of gas, creeping up to $3.50 a gallon, tolls and other travel expenses, I was more than a little apprehensive.
So were most of the people who knew me, especially since we had never camped before and I didn’t have a job. E-mails and phone calls from well-meaning friends could not dissuade me but they did cause me to clasp my hands, clench my teeth and pray like crazy for guidance.
Inside I fumed because very few people in my life believed in me. What did people expect me to do – after five months of planning, twiddle my thumbs and say, “Well I guess y’all are right” and cancel my plans!
Trisha, I don’t think you should do this. Why don’t you just stay put this summer? I think you are being unrealistic.
Make no mistake, it’s not that I think you don’t want to help others but why not here in your own backyard? You could do volunteer work locally. You can’t afford to do this.
I know that you like adventure, perhaps this is a mid-life crisis and you can work through it at home this summer.
I tried to seek support from hotels for a complimentary overnight room, auto dealers for a free summer van rental, and food chains for a few meals but there were only a few managers who wanted to support an unknown mom and her son driving around the small towns of Middle America following some idealistic dream of bringing help to hurting others. I liked to think that I was creative and imaginative but my cheeks burn as I remember what some relatives thought of my idea.
But I knew THE ANGELS ALONG THE WAY GOODWILL TOUR was off to good start when Erma called. She was the first lady to respond to an article in a Florida newspaper announcing that we were going to visit Orlando. I felt love and warmth over the telephone line – even before meeting her.
A hairdresser for the Disney characters at the Epcot theme park, Erma read about our campaign to spread hope.
She said, “I would like you and Ryan to be my guests.”
As a Disney employee she had complimentary passes. I had to tell her that although the newspaper said Ryan and I would be traveling south, we had added two more to our traveling clan in the van. My husband, John, and Ryan’s friend Dale were packed and ready to go. She checked with her co-worker, Gerri Linda, and between the two of them, they offered admission passes to all Disney properties for all four of us, for two days.
They met us at the park entrance and flashed bright smiles as well as the tickets.
Later in the day, just sitting and being with each other outside a Holiday Inn, I knew I had met somebody very special. We talked about daily struggles, laughed about how we both handled the hassles in our life, and I mentioned a troublesome note that I had recently found related to a family member – you know the type that puts a mother on high alert.
She didn’t know it but just a half hour before, I was outside the hotel, letting myself have a good cry. My body was shaking and I felt weak and looked pale. I had worked my emotions into a tizzy, fretting about other people in my family. (Thank goodness I had the good sense to move away from my own van, decorated with angels and stars, while sobbing!)
I thought about postponing our “meeting” until I could at least put makeup over the blotches on my face and dark circles under my eyes. How could the “angel pin lady” who was on the road to help others be caving in?
It wasn’t the kind of topic that I would have shared with friends back home. Oh, how God works mysteriously and magically when grim topics (like the note) play in a mom’s mind. Erma had a very similar issue with a family member and what a great solution she offered. You don’t need to do anything about the note. All kids feel that way at one time or another.
She passed along a “truth” that only moms and wives who have been on that route before could offer. I desperately needed to know her message “that everything is going to be okay” and relief surged through my body.
I gave her lots of angel pins and she gave me a beautiful wind chime and an angel that she crafted herself. But, oh she gave me so much more.
What she didn’t know was that this trip to Florida was part of marriage reconciliation, the first time my husband and I had traveled together in seven years. There I was, a middle-aged woman with a spreading waistline, trying to re-create what we had before we separated - I was scared, really scared. I was afraid to let my guard down – we had gone to a marriage repair weekend and unfortunately, after talking in depth, we had not forgiven each other for the hurts and were unable to give each other unconditional love. We still wanted the other one to change.
We had lived apart for five years – after being married for twenty-five years. I was confused about some things and anxious about two lives that had been out of touch for so long. In many ways, we were disconnected. And yet both of us wanted to be rekindled.
She was compassionate, good humored and seem to know about tools for healing. I don’t know why but I found myself sharing painfully honest feelings about my relationship with my husband. We had each been on our own for five years, self-centered, preoccupied selves, how could we become as one again? We both wanted to have an authentic relationship but there was a lot of sadness and hurt that had sucked the energy out of our relationship. We had come back together for a crisis related to one of our children, not because of a deep yearning for romance.
And then I met Erma, a stranger with a long-lasting marriage, with pearls of wisdom to share. She seemed to have kept her eyes on the prize even when problems cropped up.
At first, it seemed impossible to pull all of the details of the trip together, but faithful angel friends, like Erma, helped every step of the way.
I pulled out my dog-eared notebook, bulging with scribbled words of encouragement, strength and fortitude that I collected while separated, wise words of wisdom, and I penned Erma’s words of advice. God has brought your husband back for comfort and support. It has been a gift from God. “God Change” happens slowly, but it will last.
Comfort and support, the two things that I needed when I asked him to come home. I was feeling weak, overwhelmed and alone. I needed him. He needed me. We all needed each other, for comfort and support. The other things, the romance, managing money together, spirituality, mutual friends, the things that were still a little fuzzy, they could wait. I now had profound comfort and support, and that is what I need the most.
The “Disney Lady” probably wouldn’t even remember what she said that night, but they were words I will never forget.
Maybe it is a mid-life crisis, and I thank Erma for helping me through it.
I had thought about pitching a tent and camping so that Ryan and I could do the 7000-mile trip on a budget. With the high cost of gas, creeping up to $3.50 a gallon, tolls and other travel expenses, I was more than a little apprehensive.
So were most of the people who knew me, especially since we had never camped before and I didn’t have a job. E-mails and phone calls from well-meaning friends could not dissuade me but they did cause me to clasp my hands, clench my teeth and pray like crazy for guidance.
Inside I fumed because very few people in my life believed in me. What did people expect me to do – after five months of planning, twiddle my thumbs and say, “Well I guess y’all are right” and cancel my plans!
Trisha, I don’t think you should do this. Why don’t you just stay put this summer? I think you are being unrealistic.
Make no mistake, it’s not that I think you don’t want to help others but why not here in your own backyard? You could do volunteer work locally. You can’t afford to do this.
I know that you like adventure, perhaps this is a mid-life crisis and you can work through it at home this summer.
I tried to seek support from hotels for a complimentary overnight room, auto dealers for a free summer van rental, and food chains for a few meals but there were only a few managers who wanted to support an unknown mom and her son driving around the small towns of Middle America following some idealistic dream of bringing help to hurting others. I liked to think that I was creative and imaginative but my cheeks burn as I remember what some relatives thought of my idea.
But I knew THE ANGELS ALONG THE WAY GOODWILL TOUR was off to good start when Erma called. She was the first lady to respond to an article in a Florida newspaper announcing that we were going to visit Orlando. I felt love and warmth over the telephone line – even before meeting her.
A hairdresser for the Disney characters at the Epcot theme park, Erma read about our campaign to spread hope.
She said, “I would like you and Ryan to be my guests.”
As a Disney employee she had complimentary passes. I had to tell her that although the newspaper said Ryan and I would be traveling south, we had added two more to our traveling clan in the van. My husband, John, and Ryan’s friend Dale were packed and ready to go. She checked with her co-worker, Gerri Linda, and between the two of them, they offered admission passes to all Disney properties for all four of us, for two days.
They met us at the park entrance and flashed bright smiles as well as the tickets.
Later in the day, just sitting and being with each other outside a Holiday Inn, I knew I had met somebody very special. We talked about daily struggles, laughed about how we both handled the hassles in our life, and I mentioned a troublesome note that I had recently found related to a family member – you know the type that puts a mother on high alert.
She didn’t know it but just a half hour before, I was outside the hotel, letting myself have a good cry. My body was shaking and I felt weak and looked pale. I had worked my emotions into a tizzy, fretting about other people in my family. (Thank goodness I had the good sense to move away from my own van, decorated with angels and stars, while sobbing!)
I thought about postponing our “meeting” until I could at least put makeup over the blotches on my face and dark circles under my eyes. How could the “angel pin lady” who was on the road to help others be caving in?
It wasn’t the kind of topic that I would have shared with friends back home. Oh, how God works mysteriously and magically when grim topics (like the note) play in a mom’s mind. Erma had a very similar issue with a family member and what a great solution she offered. You don’t need to do anything about the note. All kids feel that way at one time or another.
She passed along a “truth” that only moms and wives who have been on that route before could offer. I desperately needed to know her message “that everything is going to be okay” and relief surged through my body.
I gave her lots of angel pins and she gave me a beautiful wind chime and an angel that she crafted herself. But, oh she gave me so much more.
What she didn’t know was that this trip to Florida was part of marriage reconciliation, the first time my husband and I had traveled together in seven years. There I was, a middle-aged woman with a spreading waistline, trying to re-create what we had before we separated - I was scared, really scared. I was afraid to let my guard down – we had gone to a marriage repair weekend and unfortunately, after talking in depth, we had not forgiven each other for the hurts and were unable to give each other unconditional love. We still wanted the other one to change.
We had lived apart for five years – after being married for twenty-five years. I was confused about some things and anxious about two lives that had been out of touch for so long. In many ways, we were disconnected. And yet both of us wanted to be rekindled.
She was compassionate, good humored and seem to know about tools for healing. I don’t know why but I found myself sharing painfully honest feelings about my relationship with my husband. We had each been on our own for five years, self-centered, preoccupied selves, how could we become as one again? We both wanted to have an authentic relationship but there was a lot of sadness and hurt that had sucked the energy out of our relationship. We had come back together for a crisis related to one of our children, not because of a deep yearning for romance.
And then I met Erma, a stranger with a long-lasting marriage, with pearls of wisdom to share. She seemed to have kept her eyes on the prize even when problems cropped up.
At first, it seemed impossible to pull all of the details of the trip together, but faithful angel friends, like Erma, helped every step of the way.
I pulled out my dog-eared notebook, bulging with scribbled words of encouragement, strength and fortitude that I collected while separated, wise words of wisdom, and I penned Erma’s words of advice. God has brought your husband back for comfort and support. It has been a gift from God. “God Change” happens slowly, but it will last.
Comfort and support, the two things that I needed when I asked him to come home. I was feeling weak, overwhelmed and alone. I needed him. He needed me. We all needed each other, for comfort and support. The other things, the romance, managing money together, spirituality, mutual friends, the things that were still a little fuzzy, they could wait. I now had profound comfort and support, and that is what I need the most.
The “Disney Lady” probably wouldn’t even remember what she said that night, but they were words I will never forget.
Maybe it is a mid-life crisis, and I thank Erma for helping me through it.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Claire Mohan
Team of Angels Foundation, Inc.
Box 561, Worcester, Pa 19490
215-272-1933
www.teamofangels.com
A TEAM OF ANGELS TO THE RESCUE
Do you need hope? Patricia Gallagher can help. When she experienced a serious health issue in her own family, she felt that she really needed a team of angels to help. “I felt like I was at the end of my rope!” she said. She fashioned a little angel pin from craft supplies for herself, bearing three gold angels, wings intertwined…. I called it my ‘team of angels.”’ She attached the pin to a poem of encouragement she wrote, initially to comfort her own family. Thinking other people might also need a tangible sign of support, she made them by the thousands and passed hope along to others. This is what she wrote.
A TEAM OF ANGELS FOR HOPE
In the medley of life
I feel up and down
Please send a team of angels
To “glow” blessings around.
In the shadow of a crisis
When I feel fear or despair
They’ll bring a message of hope
And I’ll know they are there.
She spread her words of encouragement throughout her community by donating 5000 pins to local hospitals and support groups. She even left a basket of pins on her porch so that anyone who needed hope could stop by and take one. Patricia has written 12 poems and “mom’s little angel pin project” has distributed 78,500 pins. Her efforts have turned into the TEAM OF ANGELS FOUNDATION, INC. If you would like to order a pin, attached to a bookmark bearing the poem, for yourself or someone who needs a lift, send $5 to: Team of Angels Foundation, Inc., Box 561, Worcester, PA 19490 or visit www.teamofangels.com.
Claire Mohan
Team of Angels Foundation, Inc.
Box 561, Worcester, Pa 19490
215-272-1933
www.teamofangels.com
A TEAM OF ANGELS TO THE RESCUE
Do you need hope? Patricia Gallagher can help. When she experienced a serious health issue in her own family, she felt that she really needed a team of angels to help. “I felt like I was at the end of my rope!” she said. She fashioned a little angel pin from craft supplies for herself, bearing three gold angels, wings intertwined…. I called it my ‘team of angels.”’ She attached the pin to a poem of encouragement she wrote, initially to comfort her own family. Thinking other people might also need a tangible sign of support, she made them by the thousands and passed hope along to others. This is what she wrote.
A TEAM OF ANGELS FOR HOPE
In the medley of life
I feel up and down
Please send a team of angels
To “glow” blessings around.
In the shadow of a crisis
When I feel fear or despair
They’ll bring a message of hope
And I’ll know they are there.
She spread her words of encouragement throughout her community by donating 5000 pins to local hospitals and support groups. She even left a basket of pins on her porch so that anyone who needed hope could stop by and take one. Patricia has written 12 poems and “mom’s little angel pin project” has distributed 78,500 pins. Her efforts have turned into the TEAM OF ANGELS FOUNDATION, INC. If you would like to order a pin, attached to a bookmark bearing the poem, for yourself or someone who needs a lift, send $5 to: Team of Angels Foundation, Inc., Box 561, Worcester, PA 19490 or visit www.teamofangels.com.
hOPE FOR GRIEF SUPPORT, 12 STEP RECOVERY, DEPRESSION, CANCER
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Claire Mohan
Team of Angels Foundation, Inc.
Box 561, Worcester, Pa 19490
215-272-1933
www.teamofangels.com
A TEAM OF ANGELS TO THE RESCUE
Do you need hope? Patricia Gallagher can help. When she experienced a serious health issue in her own family, she felt that she really needed a team of angels to help. “I felt like I was at the end of my rope!” she said. She fashioned a little angel pin from craft supplies for herself, bearing three gold angels, wings intertwined…. I called it my ‘team of angels.”’ She attached the pin to a poem of encouragement she wrote, initially to comfort her own family. Thinking other people might also need a tangible sign of support, she made them by the thousands and passed hope along to others. This is what she wrote.
A TEAM OF ANGELS FOR HOPE
In the medley of life
I feel up and down
Please send a team of angels
To “glow” blessings around.
In the shadow of a crisis
When I feel fear or despair
They’ll bring a message of hope
And I’ll know they are there.
She spread her words of encouragement throughout her community by donating 5000 pins to local hospitals and support groups. She even left a basket of pins on her porch so that anyone who needed hope could stop by and take one. Patricia has written 12 poems and “mom’s little angel pin project” has distributed 78,500 pins. Her efforts have turned into the TEAM OF ANGELS FOUNDATION, INC. If you would like to order a pin, attached to a bookmark bearing the poem, for yourself or someone who needs a lift, send $5 to: Team of Angels Foundation, Inc., Box 561, Worcester, PA 19490 or visit www.teamofangels.com.
Claire Mohan
Team of Angels Foundation, Inc.
Box 561, Worcester, Pa 19490
215-272-1933
www.teamofangels.com
A TEAM OF ANGELS TO THE RESCUE
Do you need hope? Patricia Gallagher can help. When she experienced a serious health issue in her own family, she felt that she really needed a team of angels to help. “I felt like I was at the end of my rope!” she said. She fashioned a little angel pin from craft supplies for herself, bearing three gold angels, wings intertwined…. I called it my ‘team of angels.”’ She attached the pin to a poem of encouragement she wrote, initially to comfort her own family. Thinking other people might also need a tangible sign of support, she made them by the thousands and passed hope along to others. This is what she wrote.
A TEAM OF ANGELS FOR HOPE
In the medley of life
I feel up and down
Please send a team of angels
To “glow” blessings around.
In the shadow of a crisis
When I feel fear or despair
They’ll bring a message of hope
And I’ll know they are there.
She spread her words of encouragement throughout her community by donating 5000 pins to local hospitals and support groups. She even left a basket of pins on her porch so that anyone who needed hope could stop by and take one. Patricia has written 12 poems and “mom’s little angel pin project” has distributed 78,500 pins. Her efforts have turned into the TEAM OF ANGELS FOUNDATION, INC. If you would like to order a pin, attached to a bookmark bearing the poem, for yourself or someone who needs a lift, send $5 to: Team of Angels Foundation, Inc., Box 561, Worcester, PA 19490 or visit www.teamofangels.com.
WHY I WENT ON A 7000 MILE ROADTRIP GIVING AWAY ANGEL PINS
Patricia Gallagher
215-272-1933
369 Washington Street (parsonage)
Royersford, PA 19468
Trusting the Power of P’s in My Life
My name starts with a P – maybe that is why I am holding fast to the Power of P's in my life. Pain, problems, prayer, pins,… my dear little angel pins.
I began to doubt that life would be "normal" again. I was weighted with failures, mistakes, doubts, and struggles. I recalled terrible disagreements, depression, and my daughter's car flipping on a lonely stretch of highway, illnesses, and fears.
"Do you think it is a coincidence that my prayers are being answered by lots of P words?" I said to Marcie, my best friend. She said, "I feel that God is showing you GOD-incidences. He is also telling you not to dwell on past failures"
I had hopelessly floundered for five years, exhausted and overwhelmed. As one problem was solved, three more appeared. Our counselor panicked at the latest situation.
" I have never seen such a rash of pain in one family." “God, why is this happening?" It was a plea for guidance.
I cried, wailed and moaned.... and prayed harder than ever. I was angry – raging at the people that had caused my problems; infuriated at the way my life was going.
In 1999, I started an angel pin project. It was my own tough times that created what I called THE SEND A TEAM OF ANGELS TO HELP movement. I figured that when you are in despair, you need a whole team on your side. It provided an income for my family. I distributed 78,500 team of angels lapel pins and received 30,000 heartwarming letters from people around the world – a contrite killer on death row, a woman whose triplets were killed by a drunk driver and a mother who credited the pin with helping her find a kidney donor. The common theme was that the little angel pin carried a message of hope.
I discontinued it when a bad rainfall flooded the garage where I kept my pins, files, poems and supplies. My eyes fill with tears at the thought.
I moved in with my mother. "The angel pins are gone. The project is over. I guess it is time for me to start something new" I wept, "How am I going to begin again? I don't want to go in a new direction. I worried that the mortgage would go unpaid and I would be mired in debt again.
God, where do you want us to live? Where is home for my family?
The following day I saw a beautiful stone home on the property of an old church. The sign read PARSONAGE FOR RENT. The touch of the sun and the gentle breeze quieted my anxiety. "I love it," I said to myself. The tall trees, the wooden bench, the steeple pointing towards God, the gardens, the stained glass windows, the bell tower all seemed to say WELCOME - YOU ARE HOME. The bright glow of the sun reflected on the stained glass and seemed to pour healing towards the stone house.
I had a small amount of money in the bank to be used as a down payment for a house. I didn't have a job. I was separated from my husband of 25 years. By the grace of God, we settled in by Sunday.
I loved my home, so peaceful and special. I struggled with the Why's though. God, why did you bring me here? Why can't I find a job? How do you want me to provide for my family?
My small savings was depleting rapidly - rent, utilities, car expenses, and college tuition for three daughters.
I began to have an image at night, which became almost an obsession. Staring at walls and ceiling, the clock ticked relentlessly on, minutes, then hours as I lay in my bed, wide awake.
The recurring dream, the one I could no longer dismiss, seemed to say, "Make 50,000 more TEAM OF ANGELS PINS and give them away.
I was not in a position to take on such a venture. An inner voice spoke to me" "What if you never try it, Trisha. You will be ninety years old, sitting in a rocking chair wondering what would have happened if you had tried it.”
I went to a park. I mused, as I looked upward - I was looking to the clouds for a sign - maybe I was expecting the swirling of angels. Preferably a trio of angels! I went to eight churches - asking the God of all faiths, Methodist, Catholic, Lutheran, Unitarian, Jewish, Episcopal, Protestant, and Baptist, for help.
I thought of the people who had come to my house in recent months - depressed, lonely, discouraged, sick, and hopeless. I agonized for the Katrina victims, the coal miner's relatives, frail sick relatives, those serving in Iraq. And what about World Trade Center survivors, the people who lost someone - couldn't they use a team of angels too?
I thought of how in my own life I had felt all of those desperate feelings. I asked God why He had put so many traumas and trials in my life. In the quiet recesses of my mind I heard a voice saying, "So you can truly relate to the pain of those who need your pins." God seemed to continue - "Trisha, if you step out in faith, I will provide.”
I implored God, "It seems foolhardy. Please send me a sign." I had said to myself "I will know it is right if it is "seamless" - like a garment without seams, flowing effortlessly. I turned the computer on. The first word that popped on the screen was SEAMLESS. I received a card in the mail that said STEP OUT IN FAITH. I opened a book and saw the words “Increase our faith!"
I still couldn’t bring myself to borrow the money to make this "thing" happen. What if it was just a crazy, hair brained, silly notion?
I noticed the date February 2 - my deceased brother's birthday. He was a go-getter. He seemed to tell me JUST DO IT! That night, I stepped out in faith and did it. I was officially into this, ready or not! No more excuses, what better way to strengthen my faith than to give the little I had and ask God to do something with it?
I ordered 50,000 gold team of angels lapel pins. I asked my dad for help from heaven. I sat by his grave with a blank piece of paper in my hand. I looked up to the sky. I let my unconscious mind scribble the words that I heard, in my mind.
Trisha, we will send people to help you. You won't be alone. We will provide what you need to pass the message of the angels. You can do it. You will see lots of small acts of kindness. I am with you. Love, Dad.
Oh boy, I muttered to myself, I better not tell my kids about this - they'll say, "Now she is hearing voices!" I could just picture them rolling their eyes.
My heavenly Father, God, has created a patchwork quilt for my life. He took my pain and problems, forced me to pray, made a pin, and guided me on a new path.
Oh, now how in heaven’s name will this all happen? I laughed to myself and listened to a whisper from God, "Remember, Trisha, how you love tea, hospitality and people. Why don't you visit lots of US cities and ask anyone who believes in this to host a tea - in a church social hall, nursing home, hospital, sewing circle or restaurant. You can share the story of the team of angels. Anyone who would like to share the "pass-it-along" angel pin can take the pins and begin passing them along." It sounded farfetched but intriguing.
I told a friend in Maryland about the idea. He asked, " How are you going to do this?" I answered by Divine Providence. "I have a teacup overflowing with pennies here on my kitchen counter. I was wondering what I was going to do with them. I'll get them to you." I told a friend about that conversation and she said, " I have a cup of change. I'll get that to you." This morning I found a plastic bag with seventy pennies on my porch.
I went to an empty church with a notebook. To me the idea is to pass along a symbol of caring that is interfaith and inspirational. I sat and waited for the words to fall onto the paper. I wrote the following words as I daydreamed:
I wondered what would happen if I made 50,000 angel pins and passed them out to those who felt disconnected, overwhelmed, sad, tired, afraid, discouraged, angry, depressed, lonely, hurt or resentful. Please know that I am praying for you whenever you wear this pin. When you see someone who needs it more than you do, kindly pass it along. I hope that the three angels bring peace to your home, your heart and our world.
And maybe just one more P …I wish you all the power of hope in your Home Sweet Home.
The grand finale: I did this, I really did it. I went on a 7000 mile roadtrip and distributed thousands of team of angel pins to hurting people nationwide.
215-272-1933
369 Washington Street (parsonage)
Royersford, PA 19468
Trusting the Power of P’s in My Life
My name starts with a P – maybe that is why I am holding fast to the Power of P's in my life. Pain, problems, prayer, pins,… my dear little angel pins.
I began to doubt that life would be "normal" again. I was weighted with failures, mistakes, doubts, and struggles. I recalled terrible disagreements, depression, and my daughter's car flipping on a lonely stretch of highway, illnesses, and fears.
"Do you think it is a coincidence that my prayers are being answered by lots of P words?" I said to Marcie, my best friend. She said, "I feel that God is showing you GOD-incidences. He is also telling you not to dwell on past failures"
I had hopelessly floundered for five years, exhausted and overwhelmed. As one problem was solved, three more appeared. Our counselor panicked at the latest situation.
" I have never seen such a rash of pain in one family." “God, why is this happening?" It was a plea for guidance.
I cried, wailed and moaned.... and prayed harder than ever. I was angry – raging at the people that had caused my problems; infuriated at the way my life was going.
In 1999, I started an angel pin project. It was my own tough times that created what I called THE SEND A TEAM OF ANGELS TO HELP movement. I figured that when you are in despair, you need a whole team on your side. It provided an income for my family. I distributed 78,500 team of angels lapel pins and received 30,000 heartwarming letters from people around the world – a contrite killer on death row, a woman whose triplets were killed by a drunk driver and a mother who credited the pin with helping her find a kidney donor. The common theme was that the little angel pin carried a message of hope.
I discontinued it when a bad rainfall flooded the garage where I kept my pins, files, poems and supplies. My eyes fill with tears at the thought.
I moved in with my mother. "The angel pins are gone. The project is over. I guess it is time for me to start something new" I wept, "How am I going to begin again? I don't want to go in a new direction. I worried that the mortgage would go unpaid and I would be mired in debt again.
God, where do you want us to live? Where is home for my family?
The following day I saw a beautiful stone home on the property of an old church. The sign read PARSONAGE FOR RENT. The touch of the sun and the gentle breeze quieted my anxiety. "I love it," I said to myself. The tall trees, the wooden bench, the steeple pointing towards God, the gardens, the stained glass windows, the bell tower all seemed to say WELCOME - YOU ARE HOME. The bright glow of the sun reflected on the stained glass and seemed to pour healing towards the stone house.
I had a small amount of money in the bank to be used as a down payment for a house. I didn't have a job. I was separated from my husband of 25 years. By the grace of God, we settled in by Sunday.
I loved my home, so peaceful and special. I struggled with the Why's though. God, why did you bring me here? Why can't I find a job? How do you want me to provide for my family?
My small savings was depleting rapidly - rent, utilities, car expenses, and college tuition for three daughters.
I began to have an image at night, which became almost an obsession. Staring at walls and ceiling, the clock ticked relentlessly on, minutes, then hours as I lay in my bed, wide awake.
The recurring dream, the one I could no longer dismiss, seemed to say, "Make 50,000 more TEAM OF ANGELS PINS and give them away.
I was not in a position to take on such a venture. An inner voice spoke to me" "What if you never try it, Trisha. You will be ninety years old, sitting in a rocking chair wondering what would have happened if you had tried it.”
I went to a park. I mused, as I looked upward - I was looking to the clouds for a sign - maybe I was expecting the swirling of angels. Preferably a trio of angels! I went to eight churches - asking the God of all faiths, Methodist, Catholic, Lutheran, Unitarian, Jewish, Episcopal, Protestant, and Baptist, for help.
I thought of the people who had come to my house in recent months - depressed, lonely, discouraged, sick, and hopeless. I agonized for the Katrina victims, the coal miner's relatives, frail sick relatives, those serving in Iraq. And what about World Trade Center survivors, the people who lost someone - couldn't they use a team of angels too?
I thought of how in my own life I had felt all of those desperate feelings. I asked God why He had put so many traumas and trials in my life. In the quiet recesses of my mind I heard a voice saying, "So you can truly relate to the pain of those who need your pins." God seemed to continue - "Trisha, if you step out in faith, I will provide.”
I implored God, "It seems foolhardy. Please send me a sign." I had said to myself "I will know it is right if it is "seamless" - like a garment without seams, flowing effortlessly. I turned the computer on. The first word that popped on the screen was SEAMLESS. I received a card in the mail that said STEP OUT IN FAITH. I opened a book and saw the words “Increase our faith!"
I still couldn’t bring myself to borrow the money to make this "thing" happen. What if it was just a crazy, hair brained, silly notion?
I noticed the date February 2 - my deceased brother's birthday. He was a go-getter. He seemed to tell me JUST DO IT! That night, I stepped out in faith and did it. I was officially into this, ready or not! No more excuses, what better way to strengthen my faith than to give the little I had and ask God to do something with it?
I ordered 50,000 gold team of angels lapel pins. I asked my dad for help from heaven. I sat by his grave with a blank piece of paper in my hand. I looked up to the sky. I let my unconscious mind scribble the words that I heard, in my mind.
Trisha, we will send people to help you. You won't be alone. We will provide what you need to pass the message of the angels. You can do it. You will see lots of small acts of kindness. I am with you. Love, Dad.
Oh boy, I muttered to myself, I better not tell my kids about this - they'll say, "Now she is hearing voices!" I could just picture them rolling their eyes.
My heavenly Father, God, has created a patchwork quilt for my life. He took my pain and problems, forced me to pray, made a pin, and guided me on a new path.
Oh, now how in heaven’s name will this all happen? I laughed to myself and listened to a whisper from God, "Remember, Trisha, how you love tea, hospitality and people. Why don't you visit lots of US cities and ask anyone who believes in this to host a tea - in a church social hall, nursing home, hospital, sewing circle or restaurant. You can share the story of the team of angels. Anyone who would like to share the "pass-it-along" angel pin can take the pins and begin passing them along." It sounded farfetched but intriguing.
I told a friend in Maryland about the idea. He asked, " How are you going to do this?" I answered by Divine Providence. "I have a teacup overflowing with pennies here on my kitchen counter. I was wondering what I was going to do with them. I'll get them to you." I told a friend about that conversation and she said, " I have a cup of change. I'll get that to you." This morning I found a plastic bag with seventy pennies on my porch.
I went to an empty church with a notebook. To me the idea is to pass along a symbol of caring that is interfaith and inspirational. I sat and waited for the words to fall onto the paper. I wrote the following words as I daydreamed:
I wondered what would happen if I made 50,000 angel pins and passed them out to those who felt disconnected, overwhelmed, sad, tired, afraid, discouraged, angry, depressed, lonely, hurt or resentful. Please know that I am praying for you whenever you wear this pin. When you see someone who needs it more than you do, kindly pass it along. I hope that the three angels bring peace to your home, your heart and our world.
And maybe just one more P …I wish you all the power of hope in your Home Sweet Home.
The grand finale: I did this, I really did it. I went on a 7000 mile roadtrip and distributed thousands of team of angel pins to hurting people nationwide.
Saturday, December 9, 2006
cancer support fundraiser -gift item for cancer survivors
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Claire Mohan
Team of Angels Foundation, Inc.
Box 561, Worcester, PA 19490
www.teamofangels.com
215-272-1933
WHAT CAN GOD DO WITH A WOMAN LIKE HER?
How have three little gold angels, hands intertwined, teamed up to provide comfort to cancer patients worldwide? Ask Patricia Gallagher who began the SEND A TEAM OF ANGELS TO HELP MOVEMENT. She did not plan to bring a message of hope to those facing adversity, nor to distribute 78,500 of her little angels. She never expected to receive 30,000 letters from grateful recipients. When her father was diagnosed with throat cancer and spent lots of time in hospitals, she penned a poem to help him. She attached a team of angels lapel pin that she created to the poem
A TEAM OF ANGELS FOR SERIOUS ILLNESS.
Lord, please send celestial melodies
And healing whispers too
I need a Team of Angels
For what I’m going through.
I’ll trust them to surround me
To uplift, console, caress
And carry all my fears
On wings of tenderness.
Gallagher herself knew what anxious waiting in doctors’ offices was like. She had her share of personal problems in recent years. “Sometimes it is the little things that can make you feel better: the kind gesture of a stranger, random acts of kindness and the three little angels.” The Team of Angels Foundation, Inc. was formed to continue the work that started in 1999 as “mom’s little angel pin project.” For information and to order a pin, please visit www.teamofangels.com, or send $5.00 to Team of Angels Foundation, Box 561, Worcester, PA 19490, 215-272-1933.
Claire Mohan
Team of Angels Foundation, Inc.
Box 561, Worcester, PA 19490
www.teamofangels.com
215-272-1933
WHAT CAN GOD DO WITH A WOMAN LIKE HER?
How have three little gold angels, hands intertwined, teamed up to provide comfort to cancer patients worldwide? Ask Patricia Gallagher who began the SEND A TEAM OF ANGELS TO HELP MOVEMENT. She did not plan to bring a message of hope to those facing adversity, nor to distribute 78,500 of her little angels. She never expected to receive 30,000 letters from grateful recipients. When her father was diagnosed with throat cancer and spent lots of time in hospitals, she penned a poem to help him. She attached a team of angels lapel pin that she created to the poem
A TEAM OF ANGELS FOR SERIOUS ILLNESS.
Lord, please send celestial melodies
And healing whispers too
I need a Team of Angels
For what I’m going through.
I’ll trust them to surround me
To uplift, console, caress
And carry all my fears
On wings of tenderness.
Gallagher herself knew what anxious waiting in doctors’ offices was like. She had her share of personal problems in recent years. “Sometimes it is the little things that can make you feel better: the kind gesture of a stranger, random acts of kindness and the three little angels.” The Team of Angels Foundation, Inc. was formed to continue the work that started in 1999 as “mom’s little angel pin project.” For information and to order a pin, please visit www.teamofangels.com, or send $5.00 to Team of Angels Foundation, Box 561, Worcester, PA 19490, 215-272-1933.
Random act of kindness
Patricia C. Gallagher
yngsparro@aol.com
215-272-1933
Doing Good, for Goodness Sake!
By
Patricia C. Gallagher
An angel on earth, oh yes. I do believe. Celestial assistance intertwined with my problem. It seemed far-fetched, but it did happen, on April 5, the day I moved to Main Street in Norristown.
After experiencing the shifting cloudy shadows of a difficult period in my life, I went to live with my mother. With an infinite variety of cartons, crates, and barrels of the cherished belongings of my four children, we filled my mother’s basement. Rather than placing our household goods in a temporary storage facility, we stacked them on her pool table, ping-pong table, and then filled the perimeter with boxes lined side by side, and floor to ceiling.
Six months later I found a house that I could afford and eagerly looked forward to moving day. The night before settlement, all of my plans
shattered. My three friends who had volunteered to help, canceled one by one. The truck rental company called to advise me that they were not able to provide what I needed. I had no one to help me with the move, and I felt blinded by the tasks ahead of me.
Feeling quite discouraged, I went to the basement and had a lonely vigil with the boxes. As I reminisced, I tried not to let the veil of sadness overwhelm me. I knew that a plea to God for assistance was called for. I smiled to myself as I thought, If God can move mountains, then surely this little move should be a piece of cake.
But there was no one left to call! I had called everyone that I thought “owed me a favor,” and the kids were all in school.
I picked up the local newspaper classifieds hoping to patch together a network of handymen with trucks for hire. I doubted that on such short notice it was even a possibility. I called several phone numbers and got recorded messages. I left my name, number, and a brief message that I needed assistance the following day by noon. Frustrated, I wanted to forget the whole thing. All of my plans were going into a spiraling descent.
There was another classified ad that drew my attention. In a boxed ad I read, “Man will help you with any job, errand, willing to assist, no fee.” I made one more call. Should I risk, let alone accept, an offer from a total stranger?
“Trish, this man has a caring heart. You can trust him,” I felt the Lord speak to my spirit.
I placed the call.
The next morning I went to the Title Company to sign the settlement papers. All went well, and I left with my keys and a welcome home gift from the realtor. I let the tears flow and muttered to myself, “What home? What if I never find anyone to help me move?”
It was cold and sleet began to fall. I shivered as I checked my phone messages at an outdoor pay phone. There was only one response to my previous evening calls; it was the mysterious man who would help, for no money! I called and asked if he had a truck.
He politely answered that he had a van, and he could take the seats out for more space. He asked when I needed assistance.
“As soon as possible, preferably in an hour, about noon,” I said.
He asked for directions and said he would meet me at my mother’s house. I asked again about the fee. He assured me there was none.
I looked across the street and saw a U-Haul rental facility. Although I had no experience driving a truck, I went in and rented a large one.
A very clean-cut man in his early thirties arrived and helped me for three hours. We loaded the truck to capacity. My mother invited him in for coffee and he explained that he was “between jobs” and had some time on his hands. He had asked God for spiritual guidance, and he was led to put the ad in the paper.
As the only person who responded, I was the benefactor of a spiritual reward. He took no money. He did all of the heavy work, no money and no strings attached. He was just doing good, for goodness sake! A faithful witness to the random act of kindness movement, an anonymous person filling a temporary void in his life, reaching out to help another, with no expectations. An angel on earth!
Was there a lesson here? This man seemed to have captured the essence of a moment in time. He lifted himself out of the shadow of a job loss, focused his problem through a spiritual lens, and turned his empty moments in time, to doing good. His name? His address? I don’t know. With each heavy box, he also lifted my heavy heart. He taught me a lesson. We all have something to give! Huddled close to the boxes, in my new home on Main Street, I thanked God for the angel on earth.
yngsparro@aol.com
215-272-1933
Doing Good, for Goodness Sake!
By
Patricia C. Gallagher
An angel on earth, oh yes. I do believe. Celestial assistance intertwined with my problem. It seemed far-fetched, but it did happen, on April 5, the day I moved to Main Street in Norristown.
After experiencing the shifting cloudy shadows of a difficult period in my life, I went to live with my mother. With an infinite variety of cartons, crates, and barrels of the cherished belongings of my four children, we filled my mother’s basement. Rather than placing our household goods in a temporary storage facility, we stacked them on her pool table, ping-pong table, and then filled the perimeter with boxes lined side by side, and floor to ceiling.
Six months later I found a house that I could afford and eagerly looked forward to moving day. The night before settlement, all of my plans
shattered. My three friends who had volunteered to help, canceled one by one. The truck rental company called to advise me that they were not able to provide what I needed. I had no one to help me with the move, and I felt blinded by the tasks ahead of me.
Feeling quite discouraged, I went to the basement and had a lonely vigil with the boxes. As I reminisced, I tried not to let the veil of sadness overwhelm me. I knew that a plea to God for assistance was called for. I smiled to myself as I thought, If God can move mountains, then surely this little move should be a piece of cake.
But there was no one left to call! I had called everyone that I thought “owed me a favor,” and the kids were all in school.
I picked up the local newspaper classifieds hoping to patch together a network of handymen with trucks for hire. I doubted that on such short notice it was even a possibility. I called several phone numbers and got recorded messages. I left my name, number, and a brief message that I needed assistance the following day by noon. Frustrated, I wanted to forget the whole thing. All of my plans were going into a spiraling descent.
There was another classified ad that drew my attention. In a boxed ad I read, “Man will help you with any job, errand, willing to assist, no fee.” I made one more call. Should I risk, let alone accept, an offer from a total stranger?
“Trish, this man has a caring heart. You can trust him,” I felt the Lord speak to my spirit.
I placed the call.
The next morning I went to the Title Company to sign the settlement papers. All went well, and I left with my keys and a welcome home gift from the realtor. I let the tears flow and muttered to myself, “What home? What if I never find anyone to help me move?”
It was cold and sleet began to fall. I shivered as I checked my phone messages at an outdoor pay phone. There was only one response to my previous evening calls; it was the mysterious man who would help, for no money! I called and asked if he had a truck.
He politely answered that he had a van, and he could take the seats out for more space. He asked when I needed assistance.
“As soon as possible, preferably in an hour, about noon,” I said.
He asked for directions and said he would meet me at my mother’s house. I asked again about the fee. He assured me there was none.
I looked across the street and saw a U-Haul rental facility. Although I had no experience driving a truck, I went in and rented a large one.
A very clean-cut man in his early thirties arrived and helped me for three hours. We loaded the truck to capacity. My mother invited him in for coffee and he explained that he was “between jobs” and had some time on his hands. He had asked God for spiritual guidance, and he was led to put the ad in the paper.
As the only person who responded, I was the benefactor of a spiritual reward. He took no money. He did all of the heavy work, no money and no strings attached. He was just doing good, for goodness sake! A faithful witness to the random act of kindness movement, an anonymous person filling a temporary void in his life, reaching out to help another, with no expectations. An angel on earth!
Was there a lesson here? This man seemed to have captured the essence of a moment in time. He lifted himself out of the shadow of a job loss, focused his problem through a spiritual lens, and turned his empty moments in time, to doing good. His name? His address? I don’t know. With each heavy box, he also lifted my heavy heart. He taught me a lesson. We all have something to give! Huddled close to the boxes, in my new home on Main Street, I thanked God for the angel on earth.
Patricia "Trish" Gallagher - great speaker for events
September 14, 2006
To Whom it May Concern:
Our parish, St. Patrick, Troy, Ohio, had the privilege to host Trisha Gallagher this past August 14, 2006. She touched many people telling her own story of faith and courage. She made us aware that God is always working in our lives and all we need to do is listen, trust and just turn everything over to Him.
Trisha passed out her Team of Angel pins and prayer cards to those present and encouraged people to pass them along to those who may need them. It motivated other people in the audience to share their own stories. I later visited a nursing home where some ladies were brought to the talk and they were wearing their pins. There was very positive feedback from those who attended Trisha’s talk.
I highly recommend inviting Trisha to your church, group or event and be inspired by her message.
In His Service,
Pat Smith, Coordinator Adult Faith Formation
St. Patrick Parish
To Whom it May Concern:
Our parish, St. Patrick, Troy, Ohio, had the privilege to host Trisha Gallagher this past August 14, 2006. She touched many people telling her own story of faith and courage. She made us aware that God is always working in our lives and all we need to do is listen, trust and just turn everything over to Him.
Trisha passed out her Team of Angel pins and prayer cards to those present and encouraged people to pass them along to those who may need them. It motivated other people in the audience to share their own stories. I later visited a nursing home where some ladies were brought to the talk and they were wearing their pins. There was very positive feedback from those who attended Trisha’s talk.
I highly recommend inviting Trisha to your church, group or event and be inspired by her message.
In His Service,
Pat Smith, Coordinator Adult Faith Formation
St. Patrick Parish
Team of Angels Tour Brings Hope to Middle America
To contact Trish on her travels:
CALL: 215-272-1933 or 484-932-8311
EMAIL: yngsparro@aol.com
www.teamofangels.com
July 20, 2006, Royersford, PA—Patricia Gallagher and her Team of Angels is traveling through Middle America beginning next week to bring hope to families. These are indeed despairing times for Middle American families as soaring gas prices have curtailed or even canceled family summer vacations, mom and dad are working two or three jobs to just make ends meet, serious illnesses such as lupus, multiple sclerosis, and cancer are on the rise, even in younger people, and unexpected natural disasters, such as Katrina, seem to be hitting more frequently and closer to home.
In answer to these troubles, Patricia (Trish) Gallagher has set out on a mission of hope to bring her Teams of Angels to Middle America to help these overwhelmed families and individuals. She leaves this Sunday, July 23, from her Philadelphia, PA, suburban home, setting out for Florida in a celestial gold van bedecked with stars and angels, and a sign on the rear bumper asking: “Do you or someone you know need a Team of Angels?” She will be making frequent stops at towns along the way to speak and spread her Team of Angels message of hope with her pins and bookmarks.
Trish began her Team of Angels ministry seven years ago during an especially difficult personal time. She prayed to God for an angel, then amended her request with “better send a team of angels, Lord; I don’t think one will do….” The answer to her prayer was this original poem—“A Team of Angels for the Overwhelmed”:
II need a team of angels, Lord
I don't think one will do. Please send me all the help from HighFor what I'm going through.
Guardians to watch over meAnd help my soul to copeI'll do the best I can to prayAnd cherish gifts of faith and hope.
These words started her thinking. How many people were overwhelmed like her, and might welcome an actual, tangible sign of support? She designed a gold lapel angel pin featuring three angels holding hands. She mounted the pin on a bookmark-style card that bore the “Team of Angels” poem inspired by God and she began to spread the word.
“I see my ministry as a Pass Along ministry,” Trish said. “When I started this in 1999, I printed 50,000 bookmarks with pins and asked my relatives to carry the bookmarks in their purse, briefcase or pocket. Friends and strangers began passing my bookmarks along to share a message of hope, friendship, and comfort.”
Trisha contacted some chaplains and sent 5000 of the pins overseas to be distributed to U.S. troops in the Middle East. She donated 2500 more to hospitals and women’s groups in her Pennsylvania community. “I dropped them off at toll booths, mailboxes, waiting rooms and phone booths,” Trish says. “I even put a basket of them on my front porch, and encouraged neighbors to take what they needed.”
Today, Trish asks strangers she sees in restaurants, stores, and parks “Do you or someone you know need a team of angels to help? Please keep this bookmark until you see someone who needs it more than you do and then kindly pass it along.” She asks them to share their story of where they were when someone gave them this message. Over the years she has received thousands of letters from all over the world from people who have received a Team of Angels pin and bookmark, telling their stories of how their Team of Angels saved them from despair and gave them hope. Here is one of them:
Dear Trish,I recently found the "Team of Angels" with the for loss of loved one poem attached. I am a member of a group called Patriot Guard Riders. Our main mission is to attend the funeral services of fallen American heroes as invited guests of the family. We go to show respect and honor our fallen heroes, their families, and their communities. I purchased some of the "Team of Angels" pins for the loss of a loved one poem attached to give to these families. I just stumbled across your product and found it to be perfect. So perfect a tear rolled down my cheek when I first looked it over & read it. I knew right away how much this would mean to the families. I gave one to a mother and a wife at a viewing this week; the next morning the mother was wearing her Team of Angels when she arrived for the funeral. Later in the week another funeral took place; again angels were given. I want you to know this product gives comfort and aid to the grieving family. It has meant so much to the families that have received them.Thank you so muchDaniel
Since the first 50,000 bookmarks were printed, Trish has written 12 more poems, individualized to express the words people need to hear and want to express to someone they love. In addition to the Team of Angels for the Overwhelmed bookmark poem, she now offers a Team of Angels:
1. For Serious Illness
2. For Someone Special
3. Thinking of You
4. To Thank You
5. For Friendship
6. For Hope
7. To Thank Our United States Armed Forces
8. For Getting Well
9. For United States Military Families
10. For Taking One Day At a Time
11. To Protect My Loved Ones
12. To Help
In development is a book compilation of the stories from people all over the globe sharing where they were when they received a Team of Angels pin and how they helped.
To read more true stories and testimonials, and to view and order the Team of Angels pin and 13 different bookmark poems, please go to www.teamofangels.com.
To contact Trish on her travels:
CALL: 215-272-1933 or 484-932-8311
EMAIL: yngsparro@aol.com
Article written By Sue Harper, The Writer’s Cottage, www.thewriterscottage.com
To contact Trish on her travels:
CALL: 215-272-1933 or 484-932-8311
EMAIL: yngsparro@aol.com
www.teamofangels.com
July 20, 2006, Royersford, PA—Patricia Gallagher and her Team of Angels is traveling through Middle America beginning next week to bring hope to families. These are indeed despairing times for Middle American families as soaring gas prices have curtailed or even canceled family summer vacations, mom and dad are working two or three jobs to just make ends meet, serious illnesses such as lupus, multiple sclerosis, and cancer are on the rise, even in younger people, and unexpected natural disasters, such as Katrina, seem to be hitting more frequently and closer to home.
In answer to these troubles, Patricia (Trish) Gallagher has set out on a mission of hope to bring her Teams of Angels to Middle America to help these overwhelmed families and individuals. She leaves this Sunday, July 23, from her Philadelphia, PA, suburban home, setting out for Florida in a celestial gold van bedecked with stars and angels, and a sign on the rear bumper asking: “Do you or someone you know need a Team of Angels?” She will be making frequent stops at towns along the way to speak and spread her Team of Angels message of hope with her pins and bookmarks.
Trish began her Team of Angels ministry seven years ago during an especially difficult personal time. She prayed to God for an angel, then amended her request with “better send a team of angels, Lord; I don’t think one will do….” The answer to her prayer was this original poem—“A Team of Angels for the Overwhelmed”:
II need a team of angels, Lord
I don't think one will do. Please send me all the help from HighFor what I'm going through.
Guardians to watch over meAnd help my soul to copeI'll do the best I can to prayAnd cherish gifts of faith and hope.
These words started her thinking. How many people were overwhelmed like her, and might welcome an actual, tangible sign of support? She designed a gold lapel angel pin featuring three angels holding hands. She mounted the pin on a bookmark-style card that bore the “Team of Angels” poem inspired by God and she began to spread the word.
“I see my ministry as a Pass Along ministry,” Trish said. “When I started this in 1999, I printed 50,000 bookmarks with pins and asked my relatives to carry the bookmarks in their purse, briefcase or pocket. Friends and strangers began passing my bookmarks along to share a message of hope, friendship, and comfort.”
Trisha contacted some chaplains and sent 5000 of the pins overseas to be distributed to U.S. troops in the Middle East. She donated 2500 more to hospitals and women’s groups in her Pennsylvania community. “I dropped them off at toll booths, mailboxes, waiting rooms and phone booths,” Trish says. “I even put a basket of them on my front porch, and encouraged neighbors to take what they needed.”
Today, Trish asks strangers she sees in restaurants, stores, and parks “Do you or someone you know need a team of angels to help? Please keep this bookmark until you see someone who needs it more than you do and then kindly pass it along.” She asks them to share their story of where they were when someone gave them this message. Over the years she has received thousands of letters from all over the world from people who have received a Team of Angels pin and bookmark, telling their stories of how their Team of Angels saved them from despair and gave them hope. Here is one of them:
Dear Trish,I recently found the "Team of Angels" with the for loss of loved one poem attached. I am a member of a group called Patriot Guard Riders. Our main mission is to attend the funeral services of fallen American heroes as invited guests of the family. We go to show respect and honor our fallen heroes, their families, and their communities. I purchased some of the "Team of Angels" pins for the loss of a loved one poem attached to give to these families. I just stumbled across your product and found it to be perfect. So perfect a tear rolled down my cheek when I first looked it over & read it. I knew right away how much this would mean to the families. I gave one to a mother and a wife at a viewing this week; the next morning the mother was wearing her Team of Angels when she arrived for the funeral. Later in the week another funeral took place; again angels were given. I want you to know this product gives comfort and aid to the grieving family. It has meant so much to the families that have received them.Thank you so muchDaniel
Since the first 50,000 bookmarks were printed, Trish has written 12 more poems, individualized to express the words people need to hear and want to express to someone they love. In addition to the Team of Angels for the Overwhelmed bookmark poem, she now offers a Team of Angels:
1. For Serious Illness
2. For Someone Special
3. Thinking of You
4. To Thank You
5. For Friendship
6. For Hope
7. To Thank Our United States Armed Forces
8. For Getting Well
9. For United States Military Families
10. For Taking One Day At a Time
11. To Protect My Loved Ones
12. To Help
In development is a book compilation of the stories from people all over the globe sharing where they were when they received a Team of Angels pin and how they helped.
To read more true stories and testimonials, and to view and order the Team of Angels pin and 13 different bookmark poems, please go to www.teamofangels.com.
To contact Trish on her travels:
CALL: 215-272-1933 or 484-932-8311
EMAIL: yngsparro@aol.com
Article written By Sue Harper, The Writer’s Cottage, www.thewriterscottage.com
ANGELS TO BRIGHTEN A SOLDIER'S DAY
SUGGESTED STORY IDEA
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
By Patricia Gallagher
www.teamofangels.com
484-932-8311
215-272-1933
SOMETIMES ALL IT TAKES IS JUST ONE LITTLE ANGEL PIN TO BRIGHTEN A SOLDIER’S DAY!
What does a mother do when her two sons are involved in life-threatening battles, one as a soldier deployed to the Balkans and the other son battling leukemia here at home? My friend faced this tragic situation. I wrote a poem to cheer up our troops. I attached a little angel pin that I created, fashioned from craft products, to a bookmark bearing the poem A TEAM OF ANGELS TO THANK OUR UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES. My four children and I sent 5000 overseas - three little angels holding hands, reaching out with a heartfelt “thank you”.
On September 22, in a crowd of 45,634 people at a Phillies vs. Marlins game, I met two vets David Larsen and his friend William, (unsung heroes) who had received my Team of Angels pin, one wearing it on his hat.
I’ve been clean and sober 79 days. I got this Angel Pin from a guy when I was sitting on a picnic table on a real sunny day. He said ‘ain’t gonna need this anymore’ and he gave it to me. I look at them angels every day.
My nephew gave one to me –yep, I love those three little angels.
In the middle of Ryan Howard’s home run, David Larsen, the former paratrooper called his nephew. You’re not going to believe who I am sitting with. The lady who makes those angel pins
I opened a desk drawer and looked at the letters from soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen as well as the Department of Defense, the Secretary of the Navy, and the Veterans of Foreign War.
I am not living on the streets because I am a bum. How does a soldier who fought for his country become homeless? Why have lots of my buddies ended up in jail for drugs and domestic abuse? I lost my wife, my house and my kids. My drinking and rage drove my family away.
Nobody understands what it’s like to have your body crushed, watch your friends blown up and every night still hear the sound of the artillery in your mind.
Your little Angel Pins make us feel like the heroes we want to be.
If you can make an old military man like me cry here in the desert, I can only imagine what this pin means to our young soldiers here in Iraq.
Having your Team of Angels on my humvee makes me feel safe.
I read this letter from a former Vietnam prisoner of war. I pictured his battered face as he told me what my little pins must mean to servicemen and women fighting in Iraq.
A TEAM OF ANGELS TO THANK OUR UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES
You’re positive, uplifting
Brave, courageous, fun.
The angels bring with grateful joy
Our thanks for all you’ve done.
They bring strength from heaven’s garden
In bouquets of love and cheer
And prayers full of blessings
To protect our forces, far and near!
Why am I doing this? God, am I on the right track? My cell phone rang:
Hi,
I am a Sergeant First Class in the United States Army. While in Kosovo as part of the initial entry force, a soldier in my battery gave me a Team of Angels pin which I wore as part of my uniform, over my heart, under my left breast pocket flap everywhere I went. The pin has since broken. Could you please send me another pin?
Hang in. Don’t hang up. Don’t worry, Sergeant the pins are on their way!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
By Patricia Gallagher
www.teamofangels.com
484-932-8311
215-272-1933
SOMETIMES ALL IT TAKES IS JUST ONE LITTLE ANGEL PIN TO BRIGHTEN A SOLDIER’S DAY!
What does a mother do when her two sons are involved in life-threatening battles, one as a soldier deployed to the Balkans and the other son battling leukemia here at home? My friend faced this tragic situation. I wrote a poem to cheer up our troops. I attached a little angel pin that I created, fashioned from craft products, to a bookmark bearing the poem A TEAM OF ANGELS TO THANK OUR UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES. My four children and I sent 5000 overseas - three little angels holding hands, reaching out with a heartfelt “thank you”.
On September 22, in a crowd of 45,634 people at a Phillies vs. Marlins game, I met two vets David Larsen and his friend William, (unsung heroes) who had received my Team of Angels pin, one wearing it on his hat.
I’ve been clean and sober 79 days. I got this Angel Pin from a guy when I was sitting on a picnic table on a real sunny day. He said ‘ain’t gonna need this anymore’ and he gave it to me. I look at them angels every day.
My nephew gave one to me –yep, I love those three little angels.
In the middle of Ryan Howard’s home run, David Larsen, the former paratrooper called his nephew. You’re not going to believe who I am sitting with. The lady who makes those angel pins
I opened a desk drawer and looked at the letters from soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen as well as the Department of Defense, the Secretary of the Navy, and the Veterans of Foreign War.
I am not living on the streets because I am a bum. How does a soldier who fought for his country become homeless? Why have lots of my buddies ended up in jail for drugs and domestic abuse? I lost my wife, my house and my kids. My drinking and rage drove my family away.
Nobody understands what it’s like to have your body crushed, watch your friends blown up and every night still hear the sound of the artillery in your mind.
Your little Angel Pins make us feel like the heroes we want to be.
If you can make an old military man like me cry here in the desert, I can only imagine what this pin means to our young soldiers here in Iraq.
Having your Team of Angels on my humvee makes me feel safe.
I read this letter from a former Vietnam prisoner of war. I pictured his battered face as he told me what my little pins must mean to servicemen and women fighting in Iraq.
A TEAM OF ANGELS TO THANK OUR UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES
You’re positive, uplifting
Brave, courageous, fun.
The angels bring with grateful joy
Our thanks for all you’ve done.
They bring strength from heaven’s garden
In bouquets of love and cheer
And prayers full of blessings
To protect our forces, far and near!
Why am I doing this? God, am I on the right track? My cell phone rang:
Hi,
I am a Sergeant First Class in the United States Army. While in Kosovo as part of the initial entry force, a soldier in my battery gave me a Team of Angels pin which I wore as part of my uniform, over my heart, under my left breast pocket flap everywhere I went. The pin has since broken. Could you please send me another pin?
Hang in. Don’t hang up. Don’t worry, Sergeant the pins are on their way!
ANGELS PINS RIDING IN HUMVEES IN IRAQ
Angels Riding in HUMVEEs
OFFERING PROTECTION AND COMFORT IN THE VIOLENCE OF WAR
Angel Pins for the Military
Contact:
Patricia C. Gallagher
www.teamofangels.com
yngsparro@aol.com
484-932-8311
I am Patricia Gallagher, a Pennsylvania Mom, who wants offer comfort to families who have loved ones serving in the military. Sometimes it is the little things that get us through the toughest times. That is why I created a special reminder to let the troops and their families know we remember them: a Team of Angels pin.
The lapel pins, featuring a trio of angels, come with two special poems that I wrote titled:
A TEAM OF ANGELS TO THANK OUR UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES, and
A TEAM OF ANGELS TO PROTECT ALL MILITARY FAMILIES.
I started the Team of Angels pin and poems about six years ago, when I was going through a difficult time in my life. The military newspaper STARS AND STRIPES, did a full-page feature story about my project and I have received letters from the Department of Defense, the Department of the Navy, and hundreds of soldiers. The CBS Early Show visited my home for a segment and my story was featured in Family Circle magazine, Gannett Wire Service, and Woman’s World. A producer from The Oprah Show called!
Can I visit your local base? Can you help me get the ball rolling with military families in your area? Please visit my web site for information about obtaining the pins.
My message is a simple one:
From the bottom of our hearts, I and every American wish to thank you for the job you are now doing. Please wear this angel pin next to your heart under your outer garment. It has brought good fortune and safety to others. May God bless you and keep you safe.
OFFERING PROTECTION AND COMFORT IN THE VIOLENCE OF WAR
Angel Pins for the Military
Contact:
Patricia C. Gallagher
www.teamofangels.com
yngsparro@aol.com
484-932-8311
I am Patricia Gallagher, a Pennsylvania Mom, who wants offer comfort to families who have loved ones serving in the military. Sometimes it is the little things that get us through the toughest times. That is why I created a special reminder to let the troops and their families know we remember them: a Team of Angels pin.
The lapel pins, featuring a trio of angels, come with two special poems that I wrote titled:
A TEAM OF ANGELS TO THANK OUR UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES, and
A TEAM OF ANGELS TO PROTECT ALL MILITARY FAMILIES.
I started the Team of Angels pin and poems about six years ago, when I was going through a difficult time in my life. The military newspaper STARS AND STRIPES, did a full-page feature story about my project and I have received letters from the Department of Defense, the Department of the Navy, and hundreds of soldiers. The CBS Early Show visited my home for a segment and my story was featured in Family Circle magazine, Gannett Wire Service, and Woman’s World. A producer from The Oprah Show called!
Can I visit your local base? Can you help me get the ball rolling with military families in your area? Please visit my web site for information about obtaining the pins.
My message is a simple one:
From the bottom of our hearts, I and every American wish to thank you for the job you are now doing. Please wear this angel pin next to your heart under your outer garment. It has brought good fortune and safety to others. May God bless you and keep you safe.
Help a vet at Coatesville Veterans Hospital
:
I am putting out the SOS for a Veteran who is suffering with the effects of war. Everybody recognizes the wounds of a guy who is missing a limb from war, but nobody can see David Larsen's wounds, the wounds that are deep inside of him.
When you are put in a situation, where you can be here today, and gone tomorrow, it does something to you.
He wants to surprise his fellow Vets at the Coatesville Veterans Hospital , which will fulfill an urgent need.
This is a message from David Larsen, a patient at the Coatesville Veterans hospital in PA. I met him in a crowd of over 44,567 fans at a Phillies vs. Marlins game on September 22. I hope somebody can help him! His telephone number is 856-535-8312. He is articulate, nice-looking and has a lot to say that would help fellow Americans understand what life on the battlefield is like and also coming home wounded. He is upbeat and interesting. My phone rang today. This is what he said.
Ma’am, I want to ask you something special. If you could get someone from a sports team to come to Coatesville VA Hospital, it would mean a lot to these soldiers. Many Americans do not appreciate what the Vets there went through to defend their country. The Vietnam Vets up here are so down because some people spit in their faces when they returned. The young guys coming home from Iraq need praise too. Do you know anyone from the Eagles, 76ers, Phillies, Flyers or any Philadelphia sports organizations? If somebody could just show up, it would show love and appreciation to the vets. I guess what I am saying is that a lot of guys haven’t been thanked properly and their spirits need a lift. These guys are sports enthusiasts. When the Eagles play, nobody walks in front of the television. They all put sports jerseys on, hats, scarves and Eagle, 76’ers, Phillies, and Flyers paraphernalia. You know, an eagle represents America. American soldiers will fight for our freedom, no matter where. Can you please help me to surprise the Vets with a visit from a member of a sports team?
Patricia Gallagher
www.teamofangels.com
484-932-8311
I am putting out the SOS for a Veteran who is suffering with the effects of war. Everybody recognizes the wounds of a guy who is missing a limb from war, but nobody can see David Larsen's wounds, the wounds that are deep inside of him.
When you are put in a situation, where you can be here today, and gone tomorrow, it does something to you.
He wants to surprise his fellow Vets at the Coatesville Veterans Hospital , which will fulfill an urgent need.
This is a message from David Larsen, a patient at the Coatesville Veterans hospital in PA. I met him in a crowd of over 44,567 fans at a Phillies vs. Marlins game on September 22. I hope somebody can help him! His telephone number is 856-535-8312. He is articulate, nice-looking and has a lot to say that would help fellow Americans understand what life on the battlefield is like and also coming home wounded. He is upbeat and interesting. My phone rang today. This is what he said.
Ma’am, I want to ask you something special. If you could get someone from a sports team to come to Coatesville VA Hospital, it would mean a lot to these soldiers. Many Americans do not appreciate what the Vets there went through to defend their country. The Vietnam Vets up here are so down because some people spit in their faces when they returned. The young guys coming home from Iraq need praise too. Do you know anyone from the Eagles, 76ers, Phillies, Flyers or any Philadelphia sports organizations? If somebody could just show up, it would show love and appreciation to the vets. I guess what I am saying is that a lot of guys haven’t been thanked properly and their spirits need a lift. These guys are sports enthusiasts. When the Eagles play, nobody walks in front of the television. They all put sports jerseys on, hats, scarves and Eagle, 76’ers, Phillies, and Flyers paraphernalia. You know, an eagle represents America. American soldiers will fight for our freedom, no matter where. Can you please help me to surprise the Vets with a visit from a member of a sports team?
Patricia Gallagher
www.teamofangels.com
484-932-8311
Monday, November 20, 2006
Thousands of Pins and Poems Given to the Troops
This blog is to tell some of the stories of the thousands of people I met while passing out my team of angels pins nationwide.
Team of Angels Foundation, Inc.
Box 561, Worcester, Pa 19490
215-272-1933
www.teamofangels.com
Thousands of Pins and Poems Given to the Troops
Patricia Gallagher, creator of the "Team of Angels" lapel pin wants to distribute as many angel pins as she can to our troops. Gallagher’s Team of Angels project began in 1999 out of her Pennsylvania home. She began writing poems to support our military when a friend’s son was being deployed to the Balkans. When our troops went to Kosovo, she created a poem to cheer them up and offer support. The Team of Angels pin is mounted to a patriotic bookmark with her poem that says:
A Team of Angels to Thank Our United States Armed Forces
You’re positive, uplifting
Brave, courageous, fun
The angels bring with grateful joy
Our thanks for all you’ve done.
They bring strength from heaven’s garden
In bouquets of love and cheer
And prayers full of blessings
To protect our forces, far and near!
With the help of chaplains in the U.S. Armed Forces overseas and an article written in the Stars and Stripes military newspaper, Patricia donated thousands of her team of angels bookmarks and pins to Marines, soldiers, sailors and airmen. She received a letter from a young soldier’s wife, "It was so nice to read that someone is thinking of our soldiers. They go through so much more than you can imagine on a daily basis. They are very brave and I respect them so much." Patricia never anticipated the response when she first began making her gold-plated creation. She has received letters of support from the Secretary of the Navy, the Department of Defense and the Veterans of Foreign War.
If you would like to order a pin for a loved one or request that a pin be sent to ANY SOLDIER, please send $5 to: Team of Angels Foundation, Inc., Box 561, Worcester, PA 19490, 215-272-1933, or visit www.teamofangels.com.
Team of Angels Foundation, Inc.
Box 561, Worcester, Pa 19490
215-272-1933
www.teamofangels.com
Thousands of Pins and Poems Given to the Troops
Patricia Gallagher, creator of the "Team of Angels" lapel pin wants to distribute as many angel pins as she can to our troops. Gallagher’s Team of Angels project began in 1999 out of her Pennsylvania home. She began writing poems to support our military when a friend’s son was being deployed to the Balkans. When our troops went to Kosovo, she created a poem to cheer them up and offer support. The Team of Angels pin is mounted to a patriotic bookmark with her poem that says:
A Team of Angels to Thank Our United States Armed Forces
You’re positive, uplifting
Brave, courageous, fun
The angels bring with grateful joy
Our thanks for all you’ve done.
They bring strength from heaven’s garden
In bouquets of love and cheer
And prayers full of blessings
To protect our forces, far and near!
With the help of chaplains in the U.S. Armed Forces overseas and an article written in the Stars and Stripes military newspaper, Patricia donated thousands of her team of angels bookmarks and pins to Marines, soldiers, sailors and airmen. She received a letter from a young soldier’s wife, "It was so nice to read that someone is thinking of our soldiers. They go through so much more than you can imagine on a daily basis. They are very brave and I respect them so much." Patricia never anticipated the response when she first began making her gold-plated creation. She has received letters of support from the Secretary of the Navy, the Department of Defense and the Veterans of Foreign War.
If you would like to order a pin for a loved one or request that a pin be sent to ANY SOLDIER, please send $5 to: Team of Angels Foundation, Inc., Box 561, Worcester, PA 19490, 215-272-1933, or visit www.teamofangels.com.
Overwhelmed, need hope, need to take one day at a time?
Need a team of angels to help?
And sometimes it's a person with a great idea who somehow (perhaps with the hidden help of angels and the help of strangers)? makes it work.
Such a person is Trish Gallagher, a mother of four children, ages 23, 21,18 and 16. One night when she was going through an especially tough time, Trish spoke to God in her usual familiar way, asking Him to send an angel to help her. “No…” she amended her request, “better send a team of angels, Lord; I don’t think one will do….” The words started her thinking. How many people were overwhelmed like her, and might welcome an actual, tangible sign of support? Trish, a former businesswoman, began to research her idea, and soon created a gold lapel angel pin featuring three angels holding hands. She mounted the pin on a card which bore a “Team of Angels” poem (which she wrote), and began to spread the word.
Click to view larger
SUBMIT ANGEL PIN STORYI am writing a book about the people who have received my team of angel pins. If you would like to submit a story or experience for consideration, please contact me.
Trisha contacted some chaplains and sent 5000 of the pins overseas to be distributed to our U.S. troops in the Middle East. She donated 2500 more to hospitals and women’s groups in her Pennsylvania community. “I dropped them off at toll booths, mailboxes, waiting rooms and phone booths,” Trisha says. “I even put a basket of them on my front porch, and encouraged neighbors to take what they needed.” Her instructions to every recipient were the same: “Keep this pin until you meet someone who needs it more than you do, and then pass it along.” Trish rarely sold the pins, asking only for postage on occasion (and if a recipient couldn’t afford postage, she got her pins anyway). “How I managed to finance this is a story only providence and the angels could explain,” she says. But unexpected donations and support always arrived just as she needed to produce more angels.
Gradually the movement grew, and soon Trish was receiving letters from strangers, most telling of how they had received one of her pins at a time of great need: “My neighbors lost their child in a fire. Someone gave them your pin….”“I am a prisoner on death row. Please send a pin to my wife. I want her to know that whatever I did, I love her…”"My friend is the victim of domestic abuse. I gave her the pin and it has helped her endure as she plans to leave…”“I am a Colonel in the US military. When your pins arrived at our barracks in the desert, it brought me to tears. If you can make an old man like me cry about something so touching, I know your pins mean a thousand times more to the brave young soldiers serving here in Iraq.”- As each letter came (and they now number about 30,000), Trish prayed for the person involved.- “I found it amazing that a little unexpected angel pin could generate such a response, especially from people who are in pain,” she says.
Which has brought her to her next project, one that maybe you can help her accomplish.
Trish is planning to personally distribute 50,000 yellow team of angels pins attached to a laminated bookmark, offering a new poem, “A Team of Angels for Peace in Our World.” “A world rattled by terrorists needs to see the light of angels,” Trish says. Patricia also offers a bookmark for families touched by illness, pain, grief, and in need of hope. She hopes her poems will comfort, inspire, uplift and console.“My hope is that there are churches, 12 Step Recovery Groups, grief support organizations, and social groups that will want these angel pins, and may be looking for an inspirational speaker for a special event or church gathering." (Please call to schedule a speaking engagement.) “My own perspective has changed since I began sharing the angel pins and reading all those letters,” she says. “I’ve accepted the things I cannot change, and I count my blessings each day.” For more information, contact Patricia Gallagher 484-932-8311 and 215-272-1933 -- P.O. Box 561,Worcester, PA 19490. Or email Trish at yngsparro@aol.com.For more stories of God's love, visit the website at: http://joanwanderson.com/
And sometimes it's a person with a great idea who somehow (perhaps with the hidden help of angels and the help of strangers)? makes it work.
Such a person is Trish Gallagher, a mother of four children, ages 23, 21,18 and 16. One night when she was going through an especially tough time, Trish spoke to God in her usual familiar way, asking Him to send an angel to help her. “No…” she amended her request, “better send a team of angels, Lord; I don’t think one will do….” The words started her thinking. How many people were overwhelmed like her, and might welcome an actual, tangible sign of support? Trish, a former businesswoman, began to research her idea, and soon created a gold lapel angel pin featuring three angels holding hands. She mounted the pin on a card which bore a “Team of Angels” poem (which she wrote), and began to spread the word.
Click to view larger
SUBMIT ANGEL PIN STORYI am writing a book about the people who have received my team of angel pins. If you would like to submit a story or experience for consideration, please contact me.
Trisha contacted some chaplains and sent 5000 of the pins overseas to be distributed to our U.S. troops in the Middle East. She donated 2500 more to hospitals and women’s groups in her Pennsylvania community. “I dropped them off at toll booths, mailboxes, waiting rooms and phone booths,” Trisha says. “I even put a basket of them on my front porch, and encouraged neighbors to take what they needed.” Her instructions to every recipient were the same: “Keep this pin until you meet someone who needs it more than you do, and then pass it along.” Trish rarely sold the pins, asking only for postage on occasion (and if a recipient couldn’t afford postage, she got her pins anyway). “How I managed to finance this is a story only providence and the angels could explain,” she says. But unexpected donations and support always arrived just as she needed to produce more angels.
Gradually the movement grew, and soon Trish was receiving letters from strangers, most telling of how they had received one of her pins at a time of great need: “My neighbors lost their child in a fire. Someone gave them your pin….”“I am a prisoner on death row. Please send a pin to my wife. I want her to know that whatever I did, I love her…”"My friend is the victim of domestic abuse. I gave her the pin and it has helped her endure as she plans to leave…”“I am a Colonel in the US military. When your pins arrived at our barracks in the desert, it brought me to tears. If you can make an old man like me cry about something so touching, I know your pins mean a thousand times more to the brave young soldiers serving here in Iraq.”- As each letter came (and they now number about 30,000), Trish prayed for the person involved.- “I found it amazing that a little unexpected angel pin could generate such a response, especially from people who are in pain,” she says.
Which has brought her to her next project, one that maybe you can help her accomplish.
Trish is planning to personally distribute 50,000 yellow team of angels pins attached to a laminated bookmark, offering a new poem, “A Team of Angels for Peace in Our World.” “A world rattled by terrorists needs to see the light of angels,” Trish says. Patricia also offers a bookmark for families touched by illness, pain, grief, and in need of hope. She hopes her poems will comfort, inspire, uplift and console.“My hope is that there are churches, 12 Step Recovery Groups, grief support organizations, and social groups that will want these angel pins, and may be looking for an inspirational speaker for a special event or church gathering." (Please call to schedule a speaking engagement.) “My own perspective has changed since I began sharing the angel pins and reading all those letters,” she says. “I’ve accepted the things I cannot change, and I count my blessings each day.” For more information, contact Patricia Gallagher 484-932-8311 and 215-272-1933 -- P.O. Box 561,Worcester, PA 19490. Or email Trish at yngsparro@aol.com.For more stories of God's love, visit the website at: http://joanwanderson.com/
Can you help me find Donna Trevelear's Well's mom?
Do you know Donna Trevelear-Wells Mother?
Searching for Donna’s Mother to Thank Her
I had always heard it is better to give than to receive. Maybe that is what I had in mind as I traveled down Interstate 95 from my suburban Philadelphia home to Florida. My van was loaded with thousands of angel pins attached to a bookmark with a poem I had written. I wanted to reach out to others who were healing from hurts and disappointments and give them a little token of encouragement: my little gold team of angels pin and bookmark. I had the pins packed in hundreds of plastic bags, each containing a dozen or more pins. I planned to leave them in churches, hospitals, drug rehab clinics and shelters. As I stopped at Holiday Inns, Pizza Huts and Cracker Barrel restaurants, I left a bag in the ladies restrooms. I hoped that traveling people would find them and be encouraged. The words of the poems were penned by me during a dark time in my life…. when I was placing all of my hope on the Good Shepherd. Before I placed a bag in a restroom, I prayed God, “please bless the person who finds this pin.”
I saw a black vehicle -- I think it was a jeep or SUV -- driving in front of me on Sunday, July 23. At a speed of 65 mph, it was impossible to connect and give the lady driving the car an angel pin but I felt she needed hope. The words on the back of her vehicle said I MISS YOU. DONNA TRAVELEAR-WELLS 1978-2005. I thought that the person named must be her daughter who was no longer here on earth – her angel in heaven. I jotted down the name on a piece of paper because I wanted to do a computer search and know more about the daughter whom she never wanted the world to forget. I tried to catch up with her for miles and miles…hoping to see her at the Chesapeake House rest stop or one of the many toll booths along I-95. I pondered her loss and made a mental promise to to call each of my three daughters to tell them You are wonderful. I love you. Her message to her deceased daughter expressed life’s true fragility.
When I got to the Baltimore area toll booth, I prepared to pay my toll. I don’t remember how much it was but I know it wasn’t one of the little tolls like thirty-five cents or a dollar. I think it was about four or five dollars. As I extended my five-dollar bill to the toll-attendant, she said NO TOLL DUE. THE LADY IN THE BLACK CAR IN FRONT OF YOU PAID FOR YOU. I looked ahead – it was the black jeep with the message to Donna. I started to cry and got goose bumps. Was it just a random act of kindness or was she connecting to me as we passed each other on the expressway? Did Donna’s mother see the angels and stars on my gold van and the words NEED HOPE? OVERWHELMED? Did they make her think of her angel in heaven?
If you know her, please tell her I was trying to connect with her. I want to know more about her beautiful daughter. Was it a tragic accident that shattered this mom’s life; was it a daughter clinging to life after a long illness that took her away too soon? I want her to be able to tell the world how sad it is that Donna is no longer here to shine her light. The message on the black jeep showed me the power of a mother’s love. As the lump formed in my throat, I thought just like the words of my poems that were put in my mind to give away, Donna’s mom’s message of love for her daughter is meant to change lives, one speeding car at a time.
Searching for Donna’s Mother to Thank Her
I had always heard it is better to give than to receive. Maybe that is what I had in mind as I traveled down Interstate 95 from my suburban Philadelphia home to Florida. My van was loaded with thousands of angel pins attached to a bookmark with a poem I had written. I wanted to reach out to others who were healing from hurts and disappointments and give them a little token of encouragement: my little gold team of angels pin and bookmark. I had the pins packed in hundreds of plastic bags, each containing a dozen or more pins. I planned to leave them in churches, hospitals, drug rehab clinics and shelters. As I stopped at Holiday Inns, Pizza Huts and Cracker Barrel restaurants, I left a bag in the ladies restrooms. I hoped that traveling people would find them and be encouraged. The words of the poems were penned by me during a dark time in my life…. when I was placing all of my hope on the Good Shepherd. Before I placed a bag in a restroom, I prayed God, “please bless the person who finds this pin.”
I saw a black vehicle -- I think it was a jeep or SUV -- driving in front of me on Sunday, July 23. At a speed of 65 mph, it was impossible to connect and give the lady driving the car an angel pin but I felt she needed hope. The words on the back of her vehicle said I MISS YOU. DONNA TRAVELEAR-WELLS 1978-2005. I thought that the person named must be her daughter who was no longer here on earth – her angel in heaven. I jotted down the name on a piece of paper because I wanted to do a computer search and know more about the daughter whom she never wanted the world to forget. I tried to catch up with her for miles and miles…hoping to see her at the Chesapeake House rest stop or one of the many toll booths along I-95. I pondered her loss and made a mental promise to to call each of my three daughters to tell them You are wonderful. I love you. Her message to her deceased daughter expressed life’s true fragility.
When I got to the Baltimore area toll booth, I prepared to pay my toll. I don’t remember how much it was but I know it wasn’t one of the little tolls like thirty-five cents or a dollar. I think it was about four or five dollars. As I extended my five-dollar bill to the toll-attendant, she said NO TOLL DUE. THE LADY IN THE BLACK CAR IN FRONT OF YOU PAID FOR YOU. I looked ahead – it was the black jeep with the message to Donna. I started to cry and got goose bumps. Was it just a random act of kindness or was she connecting to me as we passed each other on the expressway? Did Donna’s mother see the angels and stars on my gold van and the words NEED HOPE? OVERWHELMED? Did they make her think of her angel in heaven?
If you know her, please tell her I was trying to connect with her. I want to know more about her beautiful daughter. Was it a tragic accident that shattered this mom’s life; was it a daughter clinging to life after a long illness that took her away too soon? I want her to be able to tell the world how sad it is that Donna is no longer here to shine her light. The message on the black jeep showed me the power of a mother’s love. As the lump formed in my throat, I thought just like the words of my poems that were put in my mind to give away, Donna’s mom’s message of love for her daughter is meant to change lives, one speeding car at a time.
PEOPLE IN 12 STEP RECOVERY GROUPS GET THE PINS!
“Hello, Mrs. Gallagher, my name is Mike and I received one of your Team of Angels pins when I came out of prison. I felt like it was a sign from my Higher Power. I am just calling to let you know what I did with the angel pin, because I know the message says to pass it along.”
Throughout life, he had been caught up in a lot of family problems and alcohol had been his means of coping. He had an impressive six years sober but the demands of taking care of a mother with dementia had drawn him back to his unhealthy old habits.
“After mom’s passing, I was devastated. I lost my sobriety and was arrested for a DUI. It wasn’t the first, I am ashamed to say, and my lawyer and family couldn’t cover for any more of my bad decisions. I had to go to jail.”
The message was on my answering machine. I wondered what the conversation would be about. Mike was in a Twelve Step recovery group and attended daily Alcoholic Anonymous meetings. He had seen a young woman, very distraught, walking to her car after the meeting. He went up to see if he could help. As she choked through her words, she explained she had terror-filled nights and painful bouts of depression, no medical insurance and couldn’t afford the right medicine – she had to depend on doctor’s samples, which were not dependable. As if that wasn’t bad enough, she couldn’t sleep because of her anxiety over the misery of a failed marriage. He gave her the Team of Angels pin for taking One Day at a Time. The following morning, she walked into the AA meeting room looking as proud as a peacock. She gave him a big smile and hug.
“Guess what, Mike”, she said happily, “I slept twelve hours last night after getting the pin.”
She was wearing the pin on a flamboyant green blouse with pink petunias.
“Joe, please don’t tell anyone but I am not going to pass this pin along…not until I am on the other side of this horrible disease.”
“Don’t worry, “ Joe told her, “ with that team of angels, you are well on your way to recovery. They worked for me and I know they will work for you too.”
Tears came to my eyes. What a blessing this little pin was for a struggling young woman! Thank you, God for giving this woman the gift of sleep, and for Mike passing along the Team of Angels!
Visiting the emergency rooms close to midnight!
Some moms just go to work, get a paycheck, and live a 9 to 5 “normal” life … and my kids were stuck with one who interpreted motherhood through a nomad’s lens, traveling from place to place, trying to connect to people with an angel pin … that’s right three little angels holding hands, a simple gold lapel pin.. A mom handing out bags of angel pins up and down the East Coast of America. Now is that something you want to tell your friends about?
”No, my mom doesn’t work. She travels around and gives out angel pins.” I could just picture my older children trying to explain my concept of balancing work and motherhood. while at the same time desperately trying to get back on her feet financially.
That’s what I was thinking when I walked into the emergency room of a city hospital, late at night. My plan was to just hop out of my van, grab a bag of angel pins from the trunk, and give them to the triage nurse in charge.
With four kids of my own, I had been in plenty of ERs and I knew it was stress you could live without. I recalled the frantic prayers and bargains I often made with God, while racing to the hospital after a call from a policeman that my child was en route to the emergency room. The one accident, when 21 people were taken to the hospital, was a nightmare.and the accident was pinned on my daughter. Lawsuits threatened my serenity for months. I repeated and even sang the words of the Serenity Prayer (to my own made-up tune) until my mouth was numb. I looked up to the blue sky that fall day and thought I actually saw her in the clouds. I sure needed to be prepared to accept the things I could not change .I remember the fear and panic while seated on the orange vinyl chairs, waiting for the news.
I saw a Down Syndrome little boy waiting outside the hospital and then a lady holding her bandaged head, a mom and dad hugging, not in a romantic way, it was more like a “this is the end of our world hug.”
I remembered the anguish in my heart when my then 18-year-old daughter, Katelyn, was airlifted to a trauma center and another time when my husband was near death at another hospital. I paced outside the van, with my emergency flashers blinking, wondering if I should even go in to this medical center. After all, going in to say I am here because I want to give out a little token of encouragement, sounds a little weird..
It was close to midnight and the lobby of a hotel was really the place to be – not the lobby of an emergency room – especially if you didn’t even have a medical reason to be there.
I said a half-hearted prayer and asked God to bless what I was doing -
because at this point I began to wonder if this was anybody’s will but my own. What was preying on my mind was a comment that one of my children said to me at an angry moment, just a few hours earlier.
“Nobody supports you on this angel pin thing – not Dad, not Grandma, not anybody. Everybody is talking behind your back.” I felt so bad that I almost made a tearful admission that maybe I am a nut … and this was all a waste of time and money.
I put that thought behind me and hung on to my friend’s parting words before I left for my 7000 mile trip. Frances had answered my query “What am I really going to do with all of these angel pins?” Who am I going to give them to?”“They are preanointed. God will guide you. He knows where they are supposed to go. God gave you this gift, now go share it.”
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