The Blessing
25 July 2022
Leaving West Sacramento that morning, I was facing a nine-hour drive south and east, into the rugged deserts of California and Nevada. Temperatures were going to be well over 100-degrees; there was no room for mis-steps. I was unwell and my strength waned alarmingly at this early pre-dawn hour.
I stopped for gas at the Arco on Reed. Sitting at the pump, I pulled a $100 bill out of my wallet. As I was walked in to pay the cashier, I noticed the homeless woman standing outside the store entrance. She had just asked another for money to buy a cup of coffee. The man she asked had looked down and away so I knew she was not going to get any coffee from him.
As I approached her, I said “Just hang on, I’ll get you some change but I have to pump gas first.”
“Do you need help?”
“ No” I said.
I filled my gas tank and walked back in to the cashier for my change and receipt. I had already made up my mind I was going to hand her a $20. For me, such generosity is uncharacteristic, as is approaching a homeless person: I know exactly how long it took me to make that money, and of late I have become solitary, and shy of strangers.
My emotions were suddenly welling up. I was getting teary-eyed and emotional….I wanted and needed a blessing from this woman! Why? Who was she? Mother Mary? Jesus in disguise? All I knew was that, given my present circumstances, I needed a blessing this morning and I needed it from this homeless woman!
Leaving the store with change in hand, I approached the woman and handed her the twenty-dollar bill - she was so excited! Half laughing, she said she would be able to wash her underwear today. I was already in tears and said I didn’t want to talk about it but would she wish me luck. She hugged me tight with her strong arms and hands, her head ducked in towards mine and said “Go easy, beloved, go easy. Go easy, beloved, go easy.” I was startled! How unusual! Did I hear her right?
Unexpectedly, she asked if I had a map? I said yes. A beat later, I realize she was talking about a paper map-THAT I didn’t have. She said her mechanics had maps and they were out on the roads today; they would keep watch over me. It was the best blessing I’d ever had!
This homeless woman was disheveled, toothless and smelled of urine but wrapped around her shoulders was a snow white comforter that looked like a pair of half-unfurled angel’s wings.
As I stepped away from her, she looked at me and said “You know it’s not about the money.”
I said, “Yes, I KNOW it’s not about the money.”
Walking back to my car I was openly sobbing. It was the best blessing I’d ever been given. Even now, the sense of safety and someone watching over me, persists.
Days later, I realized the homeless woman was Archangel Uriel in disguise! Throughout all my incarnations on this planet he has kept careful watch over me. Before dropping into the heavy forgetfulness and solidity of this 3D earth reality, I remember his face close to mine, his strong beautiful hands cupping my cheeks and the warmth and sweetness of his breath as he uttered, “Go easy, beloved, go easy.”