The first time I met Angela was at a weeklong meeting in Miami. I had just turned 18. The thing that impressed me the most about her was her cheerful, bubbly, and outgoing nature. She had the gift of lighting up a room when she entered and made everyone feel at ease and very comfortable around her. I personally was very touched by her concern and care for me. Here I was, just a little teenager who she didn't know, but she treated me as if I was a longtime friend.
As we were all about to leave the meeting site, she said that she felt so bad that she didn't have a gift to give me. I told her that there was no need to give me a gift. But she insisted that she wanted to leave me with something. So she went through her purse and pulled out her newly bought eye shadow set and said that she wanted me to have it. I still have that eye shadow set to this day. But the more treasured gift that will remain with me always is the sweet memory I have of a dear woman who took the time to make a little 18-year-old feel special and important to her.
I have met Angela a few other times over the years and have always felt the same love, care, and friendship as I did the first time. Many other young people I know who also knew her (both those who lived with her as well as those who only met her briefly) have commented on how she was such fun, so sweet, outgoing, caring, and affectionate, and always the first to jump in and lend a helping hand whenever she saw a need—a real angel. She won the hearts of so many, especially us young people, probably because she was so young at heart herself.
I love Angela dearly, and although she is gone from us at this time, she will always remain very close in heart and spirit. I can't wait to be reunited with my dear friend when it's my turn to walk through Heaven's doors. Until then, I pray that the Lord will help me to touch other's lives in the way that Angela touched mine.