Some wise person said those words long ago and I suppose that for many people they are true. It is the opinion of this humble kindergarten teacher however, that the truly fortunate people are those who entertain angels well-aware. My angels, your children, are usually approximately 36 inches tall and missing a couple of front teeth. They skip instead of walk and hug instead of hit. They come in shades of white, golden honey and brown to name a few. They have adoring eyes, tangled hair and hearts the size of Wyoming. My children are the children of paradise. They reflect the love of well-intended, if not always perfect parents.

Every morning as we sit in our Yoga circle passing the Peace Pipe we say we have much to be thankful for. Our art work is hung with pride on our refrigerators at home and our smiling photographs clutter many relative's dressers. We have nicknames such as "Snicklefritz" and "Awesome Austin" and in our skewed perspective we think the wrinkly fifty-five year old teacher sitting in our midst looks a lot more like Grace Kelly on her wedding day than the Pillsbury Dough-boy.

Oh yes. I am with angels. And I am well-aware! Last week Emily's father came in the classroom to read one of his daughter's favorite books to her friends. Emily came forward and took her place on the high stool next to this man who is dignified to the maximum extent of the word. He is always dressed impeccably and displays the friendly dignity of a successful man well accustomed to being "in-charge". After he read the story to the delight of his audience, I asked if anyone had any words they would like to tell this prosperous executive dad to describe his Emily. Up shot the eager hands and Julia said, "She is really thoughtful."

Ben said, "And she's nice to everyone, even the boys!" Daniel shouted out with only slightly

controlled hysteria, "And Emily almost always thinks before she speaks!"

Don't you just know what one of the on-going mantras must be at Delightful Dazzling Daniel's house?
Then shy, introspective Joe added, "And you know what... Emily's just about the prettiest girl I have ever seen".

Well, I do believe I saw the tiniest tear roll down this wonderful man's face. He earns more money in a good afternoon than I do in an entire month; but just for a brief moment I was certain he would have happily traded places.

Yes, he knew I was with angels and he was well-aware. We spend a great deal of time talking about these heavenly people in white. We watch and look for them through the true windows-on-the-world in room 108. If we've met an angel during the week we always discuss it with one another. A few weeks ago I had to be in the University of Miami Medical Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital for four long days. It was an emergency that brought me there and I told the children that it was so scary that I cried the entire car ride to the hospital. They thought it was unbelievable that Grace Kelly, a.k.a. Mrs. Nichols, could cry out loud in front of big people. I told the children that soon after I arrived I heard soft footsteps that walked faster than anyone in the Boston Marathon coming down the hall (by the way, you know angels always walk fast) and I felt a warm hand on my shoulder and heard the calmest voice (Daniel would have been impressed) quietly whisper, "Hello. I can see you are in a lot of discomfort. But don't worry. I am Dr. Priscilla and I'm just sure I can make you well."

"Your angel's name is Dr. Priscilla!" squealed 19 darling actors. "Was her nurse Jane Fuzzy-Wuzzy?"

"Why, how did you know?" was all I said.

Here's your homework assignment: turn off your cell-phone, close down the palm-pilot, hit the stop button on your vacuum cleaner and be aware of the "presents" of your angels.

Thank you Dr. Priscilla and Nurse Fuzzy-Wuzzy.