Today’s post comes from author Judy Gaman.
Angels Come in All Shapes, Sizes, and Ages. An Author’s Journey Lead by a 100-Year-Old Angel.
What is an angel? I guess we know one when we see one. For me, my angel was about 5’ 4” (in heals), wore a ribbon in her hair and a flower on her lapel. Oh, did I mention she was over one hundred years young? I didn’t even know I needed an angel, but that’s kind of how life works sometimes.
I met Lucille Fleming, the namesake for my memoir Love, Life, and Lucille, while I was busy with my career. As part of my job, I authored health and wellness books with the two physician partners of our luxury medical practice. While working on a medical book about longevity, I interviewed several centenarians, one of which was Lucille. The two of us had an instant connection. What started as an interview, turned into a nearly four-year friendship. A friendship unlike anything I had ever experienced before.
Being in my forties and what most people would refer to as professionally successful, I had no idea how much I didn’t have. From the outside, everything appeared more than fabulous, but on the inside I was suffering from the same fate my parents suffered – workaholism. It took someone with way more life experience to show me that my life, which looked so rich and full, was missing some basic ingredients. Her wisdom helped me add things like perspective, unconditional love, laughter, and humility. Throughout the pages of Love, Life and Lucille, I capture the ups and downs of life, never failing to leave out the humor, sorrow, and raw realities of being human.
It’s ironic that in my quest to find the fountain of youth, I found a fountain of wisdom. I gained a new found respect for life experience over titles and higher degrees, and I realized that anyone can add value to another’s life. Lucille and I both provided great value to each other, yet I dare say I received the best end of the bargain. She became a longevity expert and traveled with me out on book tour, while my own life found meaning through more simple things I had forgotten to appreciate.
In our busy lives, how easy is it to pass up an angel who is right there in plain sight? Now that I have been touched by an angel, I challenge each person to pay attention to those around them. Is your angel in plain sight? Or, maybe you’re supposed to be someone else’s angel. Life’s too short not to add value and accept value from others.
Judy Gaman is the CEO of Executive Medicine of Texas. She’s an award-winning author and speaker who takes her audiences on a journey. To schedule a media appearance or book Judy to speak, visit www.JudyGaman.com
