Snow Angels Among Us

Reported in Wells County, ND, United States in January 2011

Reports have been made that there have been a number of indications that there are indeed ‘angels among us’. 

Individuals in several Wells County towns are reporting that sidewalks and driveways have been mysteriously cleared after snowfalls.  The phenomenon seems to be fairly widespread in the area and puzzled residents are very grateful but don’t know whom to thank. 

Because of the range of the activities, no doubt a number of angels are at work.  Nobody seems to know for sure exactly when, or sometimes even how, they do it. 

One middle-aged woman, who doesn’t want to be named, says, “I got all bundled up and was dreading the job.  It’s not so easy for me to shovel as it used to be.”  She smiles as she adds, “It was already done.  I was so relieved I almost cried.  I don’t know who did it, but I hope whoever it was realizes how much I appreciate it.” 

Our North Dakota winters are a challenge for people, especially the ones who are getting older and aren’t as able to tackle outside chores as deftly as they once were.  When a snowstorm hits, many times it’s difficult or even impossible for them to negotiate the drifts that show up across their sidewalks and driveways. 

In some homes there are vulnerable older people who may suddenly need medical attention.  Keeping their doors accessible in case of emergency is important to them.  If an ambulance is called, having a clear path could save minutes – and those minutes could make all the difference. 

“Thank God for my snow angel,” says a Fessenden woman, who wants to thank her angel.  “He’s been a blessing to a lot of us along this street.”  Her angel is someone she knows but she’s keeping his name to herself. 

Sometimes a snow angel may become known to those he/she blesses; sometimes the mystery remains.

Says another lady, “I’d like to thank the people who are doing this.  Part of me would like to catch them in the act, but at the same time it’s kind of nice to not know for sure.  Then I can suspect everyone.  I find myself looking at people in a whole new way, wondering if this one or that one is my angel.  It’s a fun kind of mystery.”

Because of the anonymity of most of the snow angels, and because it seems many of them prefer to remain mysterious beings, the recipients can’t thank them in person. 

 No snow angels were available for comment.