Messages From Angels - Don't Hang Up: Leaving a Message at the Cell Phone Store (continued)

Messages from Angels

Then the next part of sales clerk’s message came through.  “It is important for you to understand, this technology is not the wave of the future. People would starve to death in a system like this,” I said. 

Light flashed in the young employee’s eyes. “You can say that again!” she said.

Finally, she talked another employee (who was assisting a customer on the phone) into helping us.  In the pauses in his conversation he gave instructions in charades on how to use the cash register. 

As he did this, the last part of her message came through:  My voice, gestures and eye contact became more intense. “Listen to me! This is your angels talking through me! This is important! Remember what I said! There is a better life waiting for you but you have to do it. Pick a good school. Go to some interviews. Let yourself get excited.” Again, my voice choked and my eyes grew moist.  For some reason it was very important that this woman be persuaded to follow her dreams and pursue an education. 

“I’ve been thinking about it a lot and I’ve been lagging on it,” she said. 

The Angels had more to say:  “Now’s the time,” I said, conveying the angelic words and sentiments, “You can make it happen. It doesn’t matter if there are people criticizing you or not supporting you. Do it anyway! This is for you to do.”

This last part about criticism and support had come through several times since I had been in the store and I knew the message would be incomplete if I did not find a way to say it to her. When I said the word “support” her face registered something like triumph or knowing.  Perhaps this part of the message spoke to her concerns; perhaps it was the one piece of information she needed to move forward. 

She handed me my receipt. “Thank you for the advice … I mean the message,” she said. 

“You’re welcome,” I said, “Don’t forget what I said. This is serious.”

I walked outside and joined my sister by the tree.  “We were in and out in record time,” I said. “About 20 minutes, wouldn’t you say?”

“Why did she help you?” my sister asked. 

This was a good question. I pondered it. It was the young woman’s willingness to take me out of turn that led to our quiet conspiracy in the corner of the store that created the opportunity for our dialogue. It was also symbolic of the employee’s willingness to step out of line and, in her own small way, choose not to be controlled by a system that did not work for her.

I could just as well ask another series of questions: Why did I travel to see my family at Christmas? Why the charger, my phone’s lifeline, and not some other part of the phone? Why that particular store on a sunny day? Why this young woman with a larger purpose?

“Probably because I had a message for her,” I answered.  My sister nodded. We walked off and started another conspiracy, one to find coffee, hot chocolate and pizza.

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A week later, my sister and were back on Lakeshore.  My sister pointed inside the cell phone store and said, “Hey, isn’t that your friend?” 

On a whim, I went inside the store.  The young employee I had delivered the  message to was busy helping another customer.  “Excuse me,” I said and touched her on the back.

She turned and looked at me with a big smile.

“I’m sorry to interrupt,” I said, “I just wanted to check on how your plans for school were going?”

Her smile got even bigger and she said, “I’m going in to sign up for classes tomorrow!  Thank you so, so much.”

“That’s great!  I’m so glad to hear that!  What are you taking?”

“That’s what we are going to decide!”

I noticed out of the corner of my eye that the customer I had interrupted was beginning to fidget uncomfortably.  His breathing became a little louder.  I turned to go before he became too irritated.  On my way out, I blew the young employee a kiss.  “Think big!” I said, holding my arms out wide on either side of my head. 

“Thanks!” she said, still smiling.

When I left the store I was grinning from ear to ear.