Guardian · Ohio
Route 2 Rescue
Divine intervention comes in many ways, shapes and forms, and so does answered prayer.
In July of 1973, I was working as a waitress on summer break at a Lorain, Ohio restaurant. My car was in the shop. My brother Michael let me borrow his beloved 60s van to get to work.
One Saturday night, I was driving home late on Route 2. It was like 1 a.m. The road was very dark and desolate. I was listening to Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Mike's favorite tape. I was utterly exhausted but happy that my shift was done.
Over the music, I started to hear a faint knock-knock under the hood. I was trying not to think the worst and decided just to keep driving. Well, the knock became much louder. The van started to shimmy and shake. Deep down I knew it was the engine, but there was no way I was going to stop the van in the middle of nowhere. This was long before cell phones.
I started to pray. Still struggling with the violent shaking, I was driving on the side of the highway now at a snail's pace. Then there was a horrendous engine-blowing bang, and the van stopped.
I sat there petrified, very aware of how alone I was. I started praying. Then my inner voice was telling me to talk to my guardian angel. I visualized her right on the top of Mike's van with her huge fluffy wings spread out, protecting me. Holding back tears, I held on to that image for what seemed, well, like forever. Please, please keep me safe. Please send someone to help me.
Then I looked out the large back windows and I saw bright headlights coming my way. The car pulled up right behind me. Car doors closed, one, then the other, then the muffled voices of two men approaching the van.
I tried to be brave. I turned to look out the driver's window and I just couldn't believe my eyes. Staring back at me through the window was my brother's beautiful face. How could it be?
I threw open the door and jumped into his arms, sobbing, while blubbering something about I'll pay for your van. I could not believe that not only were my prayers answered and I was safe, but my angel sent my wonderful brother to rescue me.