Shannon

By Mike Hall, March 2, 2016

On a rainy April afternoon in 1996, Shannon Baker was rummaging through old photos and memorabilia in her attic. The children would be home soon and she hoped to find a picture of her parents wedding for their golden anniversary celebration on Saturday. She didn’t find a picture…..but what she did find shocked the world.

A cassette tape in a plastic case was labeled “My Sweet Little Child.” She decided to listen to the tape.

“Good morning Shannon…..my sweet little child. My name is Elyanna and I am your guardian angel. I was with you when you entered the world and breathed your very first breath….was right there to see the joy in your parents eyes when you first opened yours.

I was there when they brought you home….when mom used to rock you to sleep while singing sweet lullabies.

Oh yes…..I was with you when that first tooth came in and when you took those first steps that were captured on video.

I was there when you spoke for the first time…..when Momma nearly melted when you called her name.

You didn’t know it but I was standing by when you and dad would wrestle in the living room after dinner…..when he would tickle you just to hear your laugh.

By now you realize I was with you…….

when you took that first bus ride to Wakeeney Elementary in western Kansas.

Absolutely, I was there to see the pride in your parents faces as they took their places that morning at St. James Church as you received your First Communion…..

when you got those colorful braces at Dr. Gander’s,

as Scotty Phillips kissed you after school for the first time.

Surely you now know that I was there when…..

you donned your cap and gown and received that diploma,

as your first true love broke your heart and just walked away,

when you thought it was all your fault and you cried for days,

as you struggled to find yourself in your twenties and looked inside for strength.

I was the one who spoke the encouraging words in your dream that night…

you remember…..I love you….will always love you…..my sweet little child.

How amazing it was for me to be there as dad walked you down the aisle

and as your children were born.

I was there later when your mother had that thousand yard stare and no longer new your name

and when it seemed that your firstborn should have been named Rebel…

when dad broke his hip and woudn’t smile for months.

You must know how proud I was when you decided not to dwell in the past

and vowed to live each day to the max…

the day when you realized that laughter was the missing tonic that could make you whole again.

Please know that there’s a magnificent place prepared for you

when your time is called…

a place brighter than the sun

where people’s eyes shine like diamonds

and angels sing all day

Have a magnificent day…..my sweet little child.”

*** Shannon Baker appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show in 2009 and since her appearance, 119 other people have discovered shared that they too have found guardian angel tapes in their attic.