January 4, 2012 5:48 PM
Leona Choy: The Angel with the Injured Wing
I've introduced you to Leona Choy, a fellow writer and Catholic convert (at the age of 80, and after decades of teaching and missionary work). Since meeting last March, we've become fast friends, meeting regularly for lunch at Applebee's where we indulge in the unlimited soup/salad deal.
When I saw her before Christmas, Leona showed me this statue she had bought for her great-granddaughter's first Christmas and told me of the story she had written to go with it. Now I can share it with you:
And isn't this a wonderful idea - writing a story to go with a gift?
Written for Makenna Lee Humes by her Great-Grandma Leona "Lee" Choy
for her First Birthday December 14, 2011
THE ANGEL WITH THE INJURED WING
By
Great-Grandma "Bubi Lee" Leona Choy
Once upon a time, Great-Grandma Bubi-Lee went to a Craft Fair at her Church. She saw many beautiful things she wanted to buy for her grandchildren. She finished shopping. On her way home she suddenly remembered a statue of a beautiful little angel that she wished she had bought.
"I wonder if someone else already bought it. But I will hurry back and see if it is still there."
When Bubi-Lee got to the lady who was selling angel statues, she found that all of the angels had been sold--except the one she hoped to buy! It was still there on the top shelf all by itself.
"Why didn't you sell this one?" Bubi-Lee asked.
"She is my most beautiful angel but she has an injured wing. No one wanted to buy her. But maybe she has a story to tell," replied the lady smiling. "Perhaps she was waiting for you to buy her?"
"I will buy her no matter how much she costs. I want to give her to my little great-granddaughter, Makenna Lee, for her first birthday."
The lady wrapped the beautiful angel statue in lots of tissue paper and Bubi-Lee carefully carried her home. This is the story Great-Grandma Bubi-Lee imagined that the little angel statue told her:
My name is BOO-BOO. I live in Heaven. I am one of Heavenly Father God's special created angels. There are gazillions of us angels--you could never count us all. We love and serve Father God. He sends us on trips down to Earth to help His people and also the creatures He created--the animals and the birds and the fish in the sea. Father God cares for them all.
I never had a chance to go to Earth before because I got hurt one day playing among the twinkling stars. I got too close and one of the sharp points on a star injured my wing. I got a "boo-boo." That is why all the other angels gave me the name "BOO-BOO."
God kissed the hurt place and told me how much He loved me. He promised to send me to Earth on a very special assignment sometime.
Finally the day came when Father God said, "The time has come for your special trip to Earth. A little fawn has been injured in Green Forest and needs some Tender Loving Care. Mommy Doe needs someone to help care for her until Little Fawn's hurt leg is healed and she can run and play again."
"I will go, Father God! I will hold Little Fawn and care for her until her boo-boo is better. I know how she feels because I also had a boo-boo."
"Fly to Earth then, little angel. But first choose some Earth clothes to wear because Green Forest is covered with snow. It is wintertime and very cold there."
Angel Boo-boo chose a warm white coat with blue lining trimmed with white fur, a cape for her shoulders, and a matching cap with fur trim to cover her blond hair.
"I must have some boots for the deep snow," she thought. "High blue boots with fur trim that lace all the way up will do just fine to keep my toes warm. Oh! I still need fuzzy mittens to match."
The little boo-boo on her left wing did not keep little angel from flying down quickly from Heaven to Earth. She located Green Forest and looked around for Little Fawn and Mommy Doe. She found them right away taking shelter under Evergreen Tree. Little Fawn had her hurt leg tucked beneath her as she snuggled close to Mother Doe. Mother Doe was so happy to see the little angel helper that she tried to lick Boo-boo's fingers right through her mittens.
Angel Boo-boo gently picked up Little Fawn who was trembling with the cold. She held the little deer close to her and covered her with her cape to keep her warm. Little Fawn cuddled under her arm and licked Angel Boo-boo's face to thank her for coming.
Angel Boo-boo could not keep from smiling all the time she was on Earth. She was so happy carrying out Father God's assignment.
Angel Boo-boo stayed in Green Forest on Earth as long as it took for Little Fawn to get well. Winter turned to spring and the snow melted. The warm sun made everything grow and flowers began to blossom. Then she put Little Fawn down on the soft green grass and let her scamper off with Mother Doe.
The birds were singing joyful songs, and all the animals in Green Forest were happily running about doing what all of Heavenly Father God's happy creatures do.
Angel Boo-boo returned to Heaven and told Father God all about her adventure on Earth in Green Forest.
"Well done!" said Father God, as He smiled and gave Angel Boo-boo a loving hug. "Go and play among the stars until I call you for another assignment. But be careful not to get too close to any of those pointy stars. I don't want you to get another boo-boo!"
****
Copyright 2011 Leona Choy
Permission granted for private sharing when given authorship credit
Also, want to share this from Leona's Christmas letter:
Uppermost I always thank God for His goodness and mercy and blessings which He so generously still faithfully showers upon me in my 86th year--unbelievable to me to write such a high number! Our 4 sons and families, 10 grandchildren, and 7 great-grands are all well and thriving--an enormous blessing. I've tried to express it this way:Without a mother of my own, I am so appreciating and learning from Leona, who is pulling aside the curtain between my age and hers and showing me how much more wisdom God has for those whose lives are surrendered!
GREAT-GRANDPARENTING
When my sons became fathers of children
that was a milestone--for them and for me.
Time passed--suddenly, it seems
my sons have become grandparents!
I sit down on that new milestone
in wonder and ponder
that God has been so incredibly good to me
blessing me to enjoy such relational prosperity
as to see my children's children's children--
my generational progeny! my abundant posterity!
Posted in Inspiration | Permalink
Comments
What a precious gift for her great-grandchild.
And I really agree that to have a friendship with a mother who is further along the mothering track than you are is a wonderful gift.
I'm glad you have that Barbara.
Even though we have never met, I feel that you are that person for me. I have learned from you in so many ways.
I have been touched, and sometimes challenged, by what you have shared.
I do feel that I've done a lot of growing up as a mother since reading your blog.
You have many readers Barbara, and I read many blogs. But I am indebted to you, and you will always hold a special place in my affections.
Thank you xx
Posted by: Clare | January 4, 2012 6:43 PM
Clare, though we have never met in person, we've been through many important trials and triumphs together. I will never forget and you will always be close to my heart. Love you so much! Momma C.
Posted by: Barbara | January 4, 2012 8:42 PM
