Missy's Story
...and the angel said...
I am Missy, of the Family of Escort Angels. Gravely ill chemotherapy patients move back and forth between our worlds as easily as angels do. I found they were less frightened of my sudden appearance if I had no hair, just like a special chemotherapy patient. If it is not time to pass over, I simply keep them company for a time.
Artist's Note: The angel appeared in my studio around midnight the last week in September 1994. She was approximately 8' tall, without hair, wore a loose white gown, and was surrounded by a swirling white mist. The mist was unusual, being only the second angel I'd seen appearing so.
She seemed to rest on a drafting stool I used for models. She remained with me for less than an hour. During the session, she moved her beautiful hands around her face almost constantly. It was very difficult to produce a good rendition with the hands in motion. However, the image as shown was the most frequent position.
I did not question anything she said, but took down her words as spoken. Without noticing, I added large-lensed glasses to her face; the glasses were pointed out more than six months later, by which time the portrait had gone to a photographer for recording, a framer, a public show where no one commented, then finally to the newspaper reporter. The weeks after the portrait session, I committed to meet friends in Micanopy, FL. It was there I met the St. Petersburg Times reporter, Amy Ellis, at the bed-and-breakfast, Shady Oaks. She listened to a conversation I had with the owner and thumbed through the photos of my recent work. She asked if she might do an article and we met once more. I furnished copies of all my finished pieces with the understanding that she was free to choose the photos to accompany the article.
The next words are those of Dolly Gaffrey, the mother of Robin Lea Tindall Schomburg (21 Sept 1962- 10 July 1992):
"Our daughter went with God July 10, 1992. She had fought cancer of the jaw for 10 years. She had the maximum radiation and the final chemo was a trial in itself. She often used to cry, "Why me, Mom?" I answered, "Why not you? Who else would have such love to help you? We're going to lick this, together."
I not only lost my daughter, I lost my best friend. I still cry that she is not here with me, but I know that she is now safe from all the pain she endured. I know that there was a reason for all of this. She is an angel for the chemo patients. The reason I know this is through Patricia Sistrunk.
There was an article in our paper February 28, 1996, about Patricia's work. I never read the paper, but my husband does. He found the article and brought it to my attention. It was on visions of angels. The moment he laid the article in front of me, I began to cry. There, in front of me, was a picture of my daughter, Robin. I read the statement under the picture. The angel had told Patricia that her name was "Missy"!
I called my daughter "Missy" from the day she was born. I'm the only one who called her "Missy". When others would try, she would say, "Only my mother calls me "Missy". My name is Robin." You may think this is only a coincidence, but many other things tell me it is my daughter. She wanted me to be sure, so she not only used the name "Missy", but there are the glasses. (Even Patricia didn't see them until I pointed them out.) Robin always wore rimless glasses so that you couldn't see the frames; she hated wearing glasses.
I called the paper to speak to the lady who had written the article to see if I could get Patricia's phone number. The reporter wasn't in, so I left a message for her to call me. I couldn't wait. The article mentioned that Patricia lived in Sarasota, FL, about 50 miles from where I live. "Information" had a listing for Patricia; I called her and we talked for an hour. I told her about my Missy, and how sure I was that the angel was my daughter.
Patricia invited my husband and me to her studio to see the original painting. She asked me to bring pictures of Robin so she could see the likeness. We went the following Sunday. After seeing the photos. there was no doubt in Patricia's mind, either. We left the studio with the painting.
I have the picture hanging in our home for all to see. I have invited close friends and relative to see the painting; all agree that it is our Robin. Everyone sheds tears of joy at the miracle we have been given. Her husband says he knew she would be doing this kind of work because of her gentleness and kindness to others. We now have a peace about us because we know where she is and what she's doing.
A dear friend of the family just went through cancer surgery and he said that he knew Robin was there with him. He was so afraid of the surgery as he waited outside the operating room, he prayed for God's help. Just then he felt a gentle hand on his forehead and another on his shoulder. He thought it was a nurse. As he looked up, a voice said, "It will be o.k., Jim." It was his guardian angel, but he said he knew Robin was there, too. he didn't see her, but he smelled the Halston® perfume she always wore. He came through the surgery with flying colors. Later, he found out that his guerney was right across the hall from the chemotherapy treatment room. We're all sure that Missy was there.
Robin had a daughter who looks exactly like her. The baby was her pride and joy. I know that even with all the work she has to do with the cancer patients, she looks over her daughter. I feel Robin around our home where she was raised.
She came to Patricia on or about her birthday, which I understand is a very powerful time. I find great comfort when I look at the Missy painting. I know she's helping others, she's safe, and with God.
So to those who are fighting cancer and going through all the pain--not just the patient, but also those who love them--know that God has a plan for each of you. Find comfort knowing that one day, you will all be together again in the house of God, and life, as we know it here on Earth, is only a training field.
We live in a society that wants hard proof, something we can touch or see for ourselves, not just words. Well, I'm one of the ones who have the proof that my daughter is happy and safe. She's not dead. She is just not where I can physically touch her. I can hear her, and I can feel her all around me. This is my miracle, that I now want to share with everyone."
Although Billy Graham assures us that humans don't get to be angels, I'm not at all sure that's true. In June 1996, Missy spoke clearly with the following message: "Tell my mom I'm getting my wings the first of September (1996). I probably won't wear them for the same reason I don't wear hair. I just wanted her to know."
I believe Missy orchestrated the rimless glasses (since when do angels need glasses?), the position of the hands emphasizing that her poor jaw and beauty are restored, my visit to Micanopy, the meeting with Amy Ellis, the article with her photo, recognition by a) her stepfather, who brought home the article on angels so that b) her mother would see her likeness and nickname (about which she was so very particular). Missy's important work is going forward vigorously; her love for her family has not wavered.
Missy's mother and I presented her story at the Angel Festival in Atlanta in July 1996. Other grieving parents were so uplifted by the compelling nature of the narrative that we offer it at the very beginning of "....and the angel said..." book which I dedicate to Robin Lea (Missy) Tindall Schomburg with love.
Patricia Angeline Sistrunk
patricia@andtheangelsaid.com
928-274-3613
I am Missy, of the Family of Escort Angels. Gravely ill chemotherapy patients move back and forth between our worlds as easily as angels do. I found they were less frightened of my sudden appearance if I had no hair, just like a special chemotherapy patient. If it is not time to pass over, I simply keep them company for a time.
Artist's Note: The angel appeared in my studio around midnight the last week in September 1994. She was approximately 8' tall, without hair, wore a loose white gown, and was surrounded by a swirling white mist. The mist was unusual, being only the second angel I'd seen appearing so.
She seemed to rest on a drafting stool I used for models. She remained with me for less than an hour. During the session, she moved her beautiful hands around her face almost constantly. It was very difficult to produce a good rendition with the hands in motion. However, the image as shown was the most frequent position.
I did not question anything she said, but took down her words as spoken. Without noticing, I added large-lensed glasses to her face; the glasses were pointed out more than six months later, by which time the portrait had gone to a photographer for recording, a framer, a public show where no one commented, then finally to the newspaper reporter. The weeks after the portrait session, I committed to meet friends in Micanopy, FL. It was there I met the St. Petersburg Times reporter, Amy Ellis, at the bed-and-breakfast, Shady Oaks. She listened to a conversation I had with the owner and thumbed through the photos of my recent work. She asked if she might do an article and we met once more. I furnished copies of all my finished pieces with the understanding that she was free to choose the photos to accompany the article.
The next words are those of Dolly Gaffrey, the mother of Robin Lea Tindall Schomburg (21 Sept 1962- 10 July 1992):
"Our daughter went with God July 10, 1992. She had fought cancer of the jaw for 10 years. She had the maximum radiation and the final chemo was a trial in itself. She often used to cry, "Why me, Mom?" I answered, "Why not you? Who else would have such love to help you? We're going to lick this, together."
I not only lost my daughter, I lost my best friend. I still cry that she is not here with me, but I know that she is now safe from all the pain she endured. I know that there was a reason for all of this. She is an angel for the chemo patients. The reason I know this is through Patricia Sistrunk.
There was an article in our paper February 28, 1996, about Patricia's work. I never read the paper, but my husband does. He found the article and brought it to my attention. It was on visions of angels. The moment he laid the article in front of me, I began to cry. There, in front of me, was a picture of my daughter, Robin. I read the statement under the picture. The angel had told Patricia that her name was "Missy"!
I called my daughter "Missy" from the day she was born. I'm the only one who called her "Missy". When others would try, she would say, "Only my mother calls me "Missy". My name is Robin." You may think this is only a coincidence, but many other things tell me it is my daughter. She wanted me to be sure, so she not only used the name "Missy", but there are the glasses. (Even Patricia didn't see them until I pointed them out.) Robin always wore rimless glasses so that you couldn't see the frames; she hated wearing glasses.
I called the paper to speak to the lady who had written the article to see if I could get Patricia's phone number. The reporter wasn't in, so I left a message for her to call me. I couldn't wait. The article mentioned that Patricia lived in Sarasota, FL, about 50 miles from where I live. "Information" had a listing for Patricia; I called her and we talked for an hour. I told her about my Missy, and how sure I was that the angel was my daughter.
Patricia invited my husband and me to her studio to see the original painting. She asked me to bring pictures of Robin so she could see the likeness. We went the following Sunday. After seeing the photos. there was no doubt in Patricia's mind, either. We left the studio with the painting.
I have the picture hanging in our home for all to see. I have invited close friends and relative to see the painting; all agree that it is our Robin. Everyone sheds tears of joy at the miracle we have been given. Her husband says he knew she would be doing this kind of work because of her gentleness and kindness to others. We now have a peace about us because we know where she is and what she's doing.
A dear friend of the family just went through cancer surgery and he said that he knew Robin was there with him. He was so afraid of the surgery as he waited outside the operating room, he prayed for God's help. Just then he felt a gentle hand on his forehead and another on his shoulder. He thought it was a nurse. As he looked up, a voice said, "It will be o.k., Jim." It was his guardian angel, but he said he knew Robin was there, too. he didn't see her, but he smelled the Halston® perfume she always wore. He came through the surgery with flying colors. Later, he found out that his guerney was right across the hall from the chemotherapy treatment room. We're all sure that Missy was there.
Robin had a daughter who looks exactly like her. The baby was her pride and joy. I know that even with all the work she has to do with the cancer patients, she looks over her daughter. I feel Robin around our home where she was raised.
She came to Patricia on or about her birthday, which I understand is a very powerful time. I find great comfort when I look at the Missy painting. I know she's helping others, she's safe, and with God.
So to those who are fighting cancer and going through all the pain--not just the patient, but also those who love them--know that God has a plan for each of you. Find comfort knowing that one day, you will all be together again in the house of God, and life, as we know it here on Earth, is only a training field.
We live in a society that wants hard proof, something we can touch or see for ourselves, not just words. Well, I'm one of the ones who have the proof that my daughter is happy and safe. She's not dead. She is just not where I can physically touch her. I can hear her, and I can feel her all around me. This is my miracle, that I now want to share with everyone."
Although Billy Graham assures us that humans don't get to be angels, I'm not at all sure that's true. In June 1996, Missy spoke clearly with the following message: "Tell my mom I'm getting my wings the first of September (1996). I probably won't wear them for the same reason I don't wear hair. I just wanted her to know."
I believe Missy orchestrated the rimless glasses (since when do angels need glasses?), the position of the hands emphasizing that her poor jaw and beauty are restored, my visit to Micanopy, the meeting with Amy Ellis, the article with her photo, recognition by a) her stepfather, who brought home the article on angels so that b) her mother would see her likeness and nickname (about which she was so very particular). Missy's important work is going forward vigorously; her love for her family has not wavered.
Missy's mother and I presented her story at the Angel Festival in Atlanta in July 1996. Other grieving parents were so uplifted by the compelling nature of the narrative that we offer it at the very beginning of "....and the angel said..." book which I dedicate to Robin Lea (Missy) Tindall Schomburg with love.
Patricia Angeline Sistrunk
patricia@andtheangelsaid.com
928-274-3613
