We all watched in horror as a man was hit by a car and no one stopped to help. The news feed ran in a ghastly continuous loop on ratings-whore cable broadcasts. We hear similar stories and have become accustomed to the staying power and pertinence of the Good Samaritan parable.

I'm here to tell you that angels are still among us.

This week, my son and I went for an early morning walk. There is a stone wall that runs along Old Washington Boulevard in Elkridge, in front of St. Augustine's Church. It is an irresistible invite that begs youngsters to surmount and master. My son smiled at me for approval and I nodded, with apprehension and consent. Right out of Norman Rockwell, my 9-year old began to walk the wall, pants slightly too short, cap on his head, and proud sparkle in his round blue eyes.

It is important to note that there are two gaps in the wall, about the width of a walkway. They each require a skillful and intrepid jump. I resisted the urge to forbid, working on my parental skills of acceptance that "boys will be boys." With great glee, he made the first jump and I heaved a sigh of motherly relief. At the second gap, however, his foot slipped. His face, body and mouth came cascading down against the edge of the wall and within seconds I was holding my child, his permanent front tooth in his palm, and blood all over both of us. My brain grappled with how I would get the 80-pounder home as he writhed in my arms.

Within a minute or so, an angel, disguised as an average citizen, pulled over. I have no memory of what kind of vehicle it was, some kind of SUV, gray perhaps. I do remember the pale gray back seats, covered with blood and dirt, and I remember that there was no hesitation from the driver about inviting us in for rescue. I had neither the wherewithal to ask her name nor the sense to remember if I had.

The rest of the day was filled with doctors and dentists at the emergency room. The tooth was reinserted. Temporary braces are in place. Face, arm and leg abrasions are healing with remarkable 9-year-old lightening speed. A follow-up appointment for a root canal has been set and our days have been filled with antibiotics, mouth rinse and milkshakes.

Should you happen upon an angel who tells you a story about rescuing a child who jumped, please please please tell her I said "thank you."

Ava Spece

Elkridge

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