It was embedded with bits of gravel. Mom leaned down and tried to pluck some of it out. I brushed the gravel away, still staring at the train tracks. I could almost hear the roar of the train, almost feel it rumbling over the ground. I could have been killed, I kept thinking.

I didn’t go to school. My legs were so shaky I could barely walk. Usually I considered a day off a rare treat. But I missed going to school that day. All the things about it I’d taken for granted suddenly seemed important.

That afternoon Mom and I sat on the couch, going over what had happened. “I ran at top speed,” I said. “All I was thinking was that I had to go forward. The closer I got, the faster I ran. With that kind of momentum I shouldn’t have been able to stop at all. But not only did I stop short, I fell backward, away from the train... as if something pushed me.”

Mom looked at me with a strange expression. “In the car I asked God to send angels to protect you,” she said. “I guess my prayer was answered.”

My own guardian angels. That was definitely something to think about. I got ready for bed that night already looking forward to school the next day. I wanted to enjoy every moment

in life. Maybe I’d even go see my school guidance counselor to talk about my future. Would I go to college? Get a job? Have a family? Maybe I’ll do all three. Whatever I do, God will be watching over me. And with him watching over me, anything is possible. — Beliefnet.com (Concluded)