Through Eyes of Angels

Our lives seems to be connected in some way.  We meet people that help us along and when times seem rough, those whom we meet are a reflection of who we are or to become.   We should cherish those whom we meet, for they may only be a part of our existence for only a short time. 

September 2011, Unknowingly I decided to road trip to Denver.  It was exciting to go down to the city and hang out with my friend, Vin (aka Ravina).  Vin was a second cousin that I  had met the past spring. I had found her  through my family history search and decided to contact her to check with her family if she had any photos or stories that she may have.  She too, was interested in genealogy and our family lines.  I did not know if the address I obtained on the Internet was a valid one, but I wrote her any way.  We had hung out several times of the Summer and texted. In one text, she wrote, "How's my beautiful, cousin."   I was grateful to have found Vin, she had a few stories that I could put down and had her grandmother's photo album.  Our grandmothers' were sisters.  I had hoped to have found a photo of my grandparents in here album, but no luck on that end.  I exited off 84th Ave and drove toward her home, I parked in the King Soopers parking lot off of 84th and Pecos. I began texting, "Hey Vin, I'm in Denver and would like to come see ya?" I sat for a few moments, and a reply came. "Sorry Hon. I don't feel well. I just got out of the hospital."  The cancer, which had been in remission was back.  She had been dealing with the cancer, but the fight was now on the disease's side; which had now spread throughout her body.  "Okay," I replied, "Maybe some other time, I'll be back down." 

I sat in the parking lot for a few moments.  I felt a sadness which over came me, I had hoped to laugh again with Vin, but as fate would have it, it was not meant to be. I looked up at the sunset which came through the scattered clouds. The red hughes over came my thoughts, and a few drops of rain began to fall. I turned on the radio and a ragga version of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" began to play.

"There's a land that I've heard of; once in a lullaby."

Tears began to streak down my face.  I texted back, "I'll be sending you good thoughts." Her reply was, "Thanks, Hon."

I sat until the song was over and I could compose myself to drive.  The announcer came on shortly after and told of a stand off in Reno.  A couple of biker gangs at a rally in Reno had began a shoot out in a casino. The Nevada National Guard were called in and police were at a standstill with the out of control members.  I turned off the radio, and thought, "This world is crazy." I went back thinking good thoughts for my cousin.

2012 rolled in and I was thinking about her on New Years. I again texted, I had hoped maybe she could come out and celebrate the New Year's at a bar downtown Denver. I never heard back, I received word from her sister on Facebook, Vin went into a coma on New Years Eve and passed away on her birthday, Jan 4.  I was saddened by the news, but still wished I could talk to her again. I got a call from her Aunt, and we agreed that it was best the suffering was over.

A few months rolled by and I had never forgot about Vin.  I would see her photo on Facebook and wish she were still here.  I began to delete all my friends on FB, and when it came down to Vin, I said goodbye.  I then said, "Thank you for everything," I continued, "but how could have you left me here on this planet."  I cursed her for leaving.  I don't know why I became so emotional over a person whom I only recently met. "I love  you,"  I continued. After my moment of grief, I received a phone call.  The voice on the other line said, "Hi Mike, this is your cousin, Claudia."  Claudia was another cousin that I noticed on Ancestry.com in another tree.  She was my grandmother's sister granddaughter from another line.  I replied, with "Hey."

I could not believe that I was upset with Vin and in that same evening I get a call from another cousin.  Who would believe? Maybe Vin was looking out for me, or maybe an angel had put us together.  Who knows how the workings of the Universe gives us what we need. I needed a friend at that moment.

Several months passed and we had been chatting on the phone.  Claudia suggested that I come out to California.  I was hesitant with such a trip, but I decided to fly out and meet the cousins that I had met on the phone the previous year.  I did not know what to expect, but they were willing to entertain me while I was there.  I had made plans with Vin for this trip, however, she went with me in spirit.

As I stepped on the plane, my heart was pounding.  I was reluctant to go on this trip.  Maybe it was going to be a disaster.  I had made alternative plans if things did not work out.  I was going to grab the next greyhound, back to Colorado.  In the back of my mind, however, a voice told me everything was going to be okay.  I closed my eyes and told myself just that, "every things going to be okay."

I heard that song again. "...When you wish upon a star..."

I had been greeted with smiles and excitement.  Cousin Ernie picked me up at the airport and at the moment I climbed into the jeep I knew I didn't need my alternative.  The whole weekend with as if we had known each other for years.  Claudia had driven from California to pick me up and she too met cousins that she did not know.  It was an impromptu family reunion of distant relatives, but also meeting of new friends.  I told Ernie about my hesitancy and he replied, "I was really looking forward to this meeting."

Driving from Reno to California was full of laughter. Claudia and I laughed all the way.  It was as if, again, we had been friends forever.  It seems someone was watching over me. The week flew by, I had accomplished most of what I needed to do. I collected many photos, many many distant cousins, and visited great grandpa's headstone. In the years past I visited great grandma's headstone in Gering, Nebraska, but never thought that I would get the chance to visit with great grandpa in his residence at the Stockton Cemetery.  In previous times in Gering, I always asked great grandma to help me in my quest for answers and it seems she has always delivered. I know a little about the past and have met many relatives along the way. Now I had the chance to ask great grandpa.

The rustle of the leaves seems to be the whispers in the graveyard.  The Stockton Cemetery, however is lined with palm trees.  Much care has been taken on the upkeep of this cemetery. The grass is always trimmed and the headstones are well kept. Claudia and I visited great grandpa and also her grandmother and grandfather, Lydia and Samuel.

As we sat by out great grandparent's headstone, we brushed away the soil from the marker.  She told her story from the last time she was in Reno.  She went to Reno for a convention and was staying at a casino hotel with her husband.  While her husband was napping in the room, she went down to play some slots.  The casino was full of bikers and patrons of the hotel.  She had heard shots between the dings of the slot machines.  The whole casino was under fire from one biker gang shooting at another.  During the commotion, she and fellow patrons turned over a blackjack table and hid behind from the spraying of bullets.  At that moment, she said, she didn't know what was to happen.  Feeling fear she could only pray to get out of there.  Many of those trying to flee were shot as they tried to get away.

Claudia's sister-in-law witnessed as a man was shot to death.  He fell in front of her hiding place.  The casino was filled with the sounds of terror; beneath the sirens and bells of the slot machines.  The 18 hours of fear ended as the lead biker blew his head off in the skirmish.  Claudia made her way over to her sister and discovered the bloody lifeless body of the man and touching his hand, to see if he were still alive. This night changed her life.

This moment linked us together, which may have been a subtle overtone, but somehow, my prayers for Vin reached the Universe and may have helped Claudia.  Maybe it was just a random event, but maybe those who are watching looked out for the three of us.  I am uncertain of that which may lie beyond the physical realm, but I can feel that certainty of the great beyond. 

The day I flew back to Colorado from Sacramento, Claudia thanked be for doing my family research.  It had brought us together. We may only be distant cousins, but in our hearts we are siblings. "We may only have the phone," she said, "but we will have this memory."

"Where happy little bluebirds fly, why oh why, can't I." The song continued.