Everyone’s life is a fairy tale, written by God’s fingers.-Hans Christian Andersen

This is how Og Mandino starts his novel The Twelfth Angel. Not a vivid reader myself, I’m surprised finishing this 164-page book in hours. Just can’t put it down! (Sorry Elaine, for another motherless Sunday night.)

By the way, I’m not a good storyteller either. Hopefully my summary won’t stop you from reading The Twelfth Angel.

The story line starts right after a tragedy. An unexpected head-on crash took away John Harding’s beloved wife and son, also shattered his picture-perfect family and career ambition. Deeply burying himself in sadness and depression, John’s determined to take his own life.

As an uprising entrepreneur who just turned forty, John was just back to his hometown Boland, NH two months ago. An old buddy who played Little League baseball 30 years ago showed up right before John pulling the trigger.

This old friend begged John to get out and urged him to help managing his old team “the Angels”. Little by little, getting up is not so hard any more. Little League season is just a few weeks away, he and his old buddy have to get “the Angels” ready.

In his team, John finds himself drawn to a tiny and physically uncoordinated 11-year-old boy named Timothy Noble. Timothy is the least wanted player among all four teams, also the last draw to the Angels. John secretly calls Timoothy his "twelfth angel".

Although Timothy is far from good, he never gives up. “Day by day, in every way, I’m getting better and better.” Timothy is a true cheerleader in his team.

Even with John’s extra coaching, Timothy did no good on the field. Sometimes he can’t even keep his own balance, let alone hitting or catching balls. However, he finished the 12 games and, with a critical hit by Tim, the Angels won the championship.

While leading the Angels winning title, John himself also walked out from the tragic fate. He returned to work, this time, burying himself into 15-hour-a-day project.

A few months passed, Timothy’s doctor brought him the hidden truth that Timothy had an untreatable brain tumor and he knew it all the way. John went to visit his twelfth angel. His mother kept thanking John for giving Tim the best time of his short life. She's surprised to discover that- it's been Timothy’s courage and soaring spirit rescued John from the utmost depths of despair.

A thought after reading-

No one knows why we are placed here at this moment.No one can tell us where we are heading to. But, as God's children, we should have faith on HIM and trust that He will lift us up no matter what.

This book reminds me a short story of Footprints in the Sand (by Mary Stevensen, 1936). We're capable of leaving footprints on someone's life. Live a meaningful life & Be someone's angel!