The ones that care when you're down, cry when you cry, and rejoice when you are happy. They ask nothing in return. They wear their hearts on their shirt sleeve. They believe everyone tells the truth and is pure of heart. Many times they are hurt, but they never fail to forget the hurts done to them and continue to try to help the hearts of others.

It may be your neighbor, a child, a person at work, or just someone you meet once. They make an impression that you will never forget and they make us want to be like them.

You will know them by their smile, for their hearts shine with love.

Sometimes you don't recognize them because you are looking at them with human eyes.

Story Number 2 "An Angel in a Hard Hat"

Our daughter developed a severe kidney and bladder infection and was hospitalized at the age of seven. This was her first time in a hospital and the only time she had been seriously ill. The nurses took blood samples and placed an IV in her small arm. Through it all she never cried.

At the time the hospital was doing construction right outside her hospital room, we opened the blinds so she could watch the activity. She enjoyed watching the machines and the men working. The noise didn't bother her because she had been around heavy equipment all her life since her father was in that business.

On the second morning, her daddy had stepped outside for a bit, he stood by the fence to watch the construction. One of the workers came over to talk to him. This guy was young, about 28 years old, lean and wiry. He was wearing a bandana around his hair under his hat, with a pony tail. He had on sunglasses and had a mustache. This guy would be at home in any biker bar from the look of him.

"Hey Man!" he said. "Hope we aren't disturbing that little girl" Her dad was surprised that this guy would be concerned about the noise. "No, it doesn't bother her, she's used to the machines and has been around them all her life, I'm in heavy equipment, too." Dad said.

"She sure is friendly, she waves at us all the time and smiles. What's she in here for?" he asked. Her dad explained about the infection and that she hadn't been able to eat or drink anything for several days. "She's a sick little girl" dad said shaking his head, his worry was obvious.

"I'll have to come visit her tommorow; I've got something for her." he stated. "Gotta get back to work, man." he said as he turned and walked away.

Dad returned to the room and relayed the events and statements made with the worker. With a shrug he said. "I don't know." to the unanswered question of who was this guy.

The next morning at about 6:00 a.m. the nurse had just woke me up, thankfully our daughter was still sleeping peacefully. A quite knock came at the door of the hospital room. "Come in" I said. The door opened to reveal the construction worker. His glasses in his pocket, revealed soft, warm eyes and a sincere smile. "Hi! How's she doing today?" "Better." I said.

"I brought her something to keep her company" he stated. He handed me a beautifully carved little bear holding a fish in its paws and a cute carved turtle. "Did you make these?" I asked. "Yeah, just something I like to do." he said with his head down. I really think I saw a blush on his face as I told him how wonderful they were. "She will love these and they will brighten her day. Thank you so much!" He left to go to work, promising to come back and visit her.

The days passed, we saw Daniel often. We only knew his name because it was written on the bottom of the little log animals. Dad talked to him when he had a chance and found out that he lived in a small town near ours. He had a family and a little shop by his house.

We got a "Thank You" card for our little one to give him and wrote him a note to tell him how much we appreciated his kindness. I don't remember all the words in the note but it went something like this.....

Dear Mr. Jones,

We want to thank you for the kind gift and concern you have shown our child. You know that children learn by example and the example you've shown is one of caring and kindness toward your fellow man.

The special gifts you made for our child are more precious than you could know. They have had "life" loved into them each time they are held: the spark of life placed there by their sculptor. Much like the spark God put in all of us...... the spark we must all nuture in each other.

You are very special to take time and show love to an individual in this busy world. God sends special messagers to us each day, its up to us to recognize them. We know that there are angels all around us everyday. Angels come in all shapes and sizes. Now, we know an angel in a hard hat.

God bless you "Angel in a Hardhat" and may He continue to work through you brightening the lives of others and showing His love to the world. Everyday.

God bless and keep you always!

Why was his heart was touched by this sick child and why did he take the time to bring her a gift to brighten her day? My opinion: God sent our child a guardian angel to help her through a difficult time. Why?

God only knows!!!