Faith Is My Guide

I was born and raised in the city of South Boston in row houses that were situated directly across the street from the Gate of Heaven Catholic Church. I was never one to look for trouble and I am told that I was always of a good nature. My room located on the second floor was tiny, and only provided enough room for a single bed, a bureau, and the one window which faced the church and had an interior ledge about 20 inches from the floor that I would use to say my prayers every night.

When I was ten I came down with a bout of scarlet fever. Although I did not know what it was at the time, I do remember my mother putting two blankets over me and two pillows under my head, accompanied by a facecloth. I remember awakening during the night, the facecloth had gone from cold to warm and as my eyes focused I was startled by a figure peering in from the left side of my window. I immediately pulled the covers over my head in fright, and then slowly back down, however it was still there. Now delaying my first reaction, I saw what was the upper torso of a human-like figure with long free flowing hair and it appeared in a soft white light. I pulled the covers over my head for the second time and when I let them down it was gone.

I awoke in the morning with my fever broke and never said a word, although after that for some reason the word faith has been implanted in my head. I have never had want or need for the little things that trouble most people, and for some reason I have been put in unique situations dozens of times where someone has needed help and our paths cross, and I thank god fully knowing that I was led to them.