Michael and St. Theresa

I have been suffering from severe depression for quite a while now, so when my partner suggested we take a day trip to Dublin on the ferry I reluctantly said yes. We arrived in Dublin and while he went to meet a friend I strolled down O'Connell Street just looking at shops and people watching.

I wanted to buy some gum and mints, so I stopped in a corner convenience store and started looking around at all the things they had on the shelves. I saw some nice, thick bread so I picked up two loaves and went to the check out counter.

As I was waiting to pay for my bread an elderly, well-dressed gentleman walked up with a newspaper. I noticed that the EU election results were on the front page, so I asked him how he had voted. I've never been afraid to talk to people and I have found that most people are happy to stop and chat, especially to someone with an American accent.

He told me his opinion about the election results and then asked me where I was from. I told him that I was from Kansas and he was very knowledgeable about the USA. We exchanged names and brief life stories while waiting to pay for our items.

It was time for him to pay for his paper and he did. I was just getting ready to pay for my bread when he started fishing in his pocket for something.

"Wait just a minute," he said to me. I thought he was going to pay for my bread and I was about to start protesting when he opened my hand and placed a small icon of St. Theresa in my palm.

"This is for you," he whispered in my ear. I looked at it and asked him, "Why"?

"I can tell that you are a good person and she will protect you. It has been blessed." He closed my hand over the icon.

I didn't know what to say. I kissed him on the cheek and told him that I hoped to see him again. He waved goodbye and walked out the door of the shop. I was still holding St. Theresa in my closed hand, just as he had left me. I had tears in my eyes.

I held on to the icon all the way home on the three hour boat trip, and didn't put it down until I reached my bedroom. She went on the corner of my Russian Virgin with Child icon photo that is framed and sitting on my dresser.

I think that God sent an angel to let me know that things will be ok and He is watching over me. St. Theresa goes everywhere with me, and the memory of Michael and his kindness towards me will stay in my heart forever.

Submitted by Anonymous

Hope