The mind is like a tree, containing multiple branches of different topics. And on these multiple branches are thousands of leaves; ideas, information, theories, and of course memories.  But the leaves of memories, they must always be falling and making room for new leaves to grow.  And so the leaves drift down the river of life, never to be remembered again.  Or they may fall to the ground and be absorbed by the tree, so that dimly it can recollect a time when it may have been just a mere sapling among mighty oaks.

But some leaves, some memories, stay strong throughout the life of the tree. Forever they will be on the tree; forever they will be easily remembered.
                                                                                ***
"Look Raphael!" A young girl, no older than six, ran to a man with an armful of flowers. These flowers were bright vibrant colors, ranging from blue to orange to lovely shades of purple. The man she addressed knelt to the ground, meeting her at her level as she ran up to him.

"Why, what's this?" He asked, smiling as he looked at the flowers.

"These are all for you Raphael!" The little girl beamed, thrusting the flowers towards him. He chuckled as he took them from her, leaning forward and placing a gentle kiss on her forehead.

"These are absolutely beautiful," He said, a gentle light glowing behind his eyes, "Thank you so much for picking them for me."

"You're welcome!" The girl chirped, rushing forward to embrace him. He ruffled her hair slightly before standing up and grabbing her hand.

"Come along now; I'm sure Mama Anna is waiting with breakfast."

"Oh boy," the little girl exclaimed, beginning to bounce on her toes, "Is she making pancakes? French toast? Ooh, how about waffles?"

He smiled wider at her excitement. "I believe that Mama Anna said that pancakes were on the menu for today."

"Yes!" She gave a joyful leap into the air, her dark blue dress flying every which way. "And, and I can eat as much as I want, right?"

"Of course you can dear."

"Good! 'Cuz I did that once at Girl Scouts and my leader blatantly said while I was there that it was un…health…y…"

The little girl's movements slowed as tears began to prick her eyes. Dark thoughts and painful memories bombarded her sense, yet she still tried to keep the tears in. "Raphael…Raphael!" She began to wail, looking straight ahead with teary eyes. In an instant Raphael pulled her into an embrace, his arms wrapped tightly around her as he stroked her hair.

"It's okay, I'm right here," He cooed softly, sensing her would-be sobs turn into nothing more than sniffles, "Don't cry now, okay?"

"Okay…" The little girl said, wiping her eyes. Raphael smiled as he kissed the top of her head.

"Good," he said, still not letting go of her, "Here, I made you something." He continued to talk, distracting her as he pulled out a crown of flowers made from his bouquet. She gasped in delight, eyes sparkling with excitement as she took in its beauty.

"It's beautiful Raphael!" She exclaimed. He smiled a comforting warm smile as he gently placed the crown on her head. She hugged him tightly, burying her face in his chest as he returned the gesture.
"Hey Raphael?"

"Hmm?"
"Can we just lay in the feld for a while?" She asked quietly, hoping that her idea would not be rejected. His smile still in place, Raphael lay down in the soft, green grass beside her.

"Of course we can. We can do whatever you like." He said, looking directly at her. The little girl smiled, laying down and immediately cuddling with him. He drew her closer, his arm wrapped securely around her.

The little girl looked around her, taking in the sights: The tall vast trees of the forest on the edges of the field; the field itself, with its dark green grass ablaze with flowers of every color imaginable; and the sky, a bright blue with fluffy white clouds, perfect for watching, floating through it. She sighed contently, looking up at Raphael's face.

"I love you Raphael."

"I love you too sweetie," He said, kissing her forehead, "Now go to sleep. You've had a rough day today haven't you?"

The little girl nodded, her eyes closing as she drifted off to sleep.
                                                                                ***
Eyes opened as a young lady, no older than sixteen, came back to her reality. She got off the bed, noticing that it was almost time for supper. She sighed, opening her door to re-enter her life of miserable family members and constant failures at bringing them happiness or pleasure. These failures always built up into one large explosion of sadness for the girl, but she was still happy.

She had Raphael, the angel who loved her unconditionally. She had Mama Anna, the angel who acted motherly and kind towards her. They were her guardian angels; and even though she sometimes questioned whether or not she was going crazy, she no longer cared. Guardian angel, coping mechanisms, none of it mattered. As long as someone could always say "I love you", she didn't care where it came from.
                                                                                  ***
Everyone you see, no matter how put together they appear, needs a friend. They need a shoulder to cry on, a body to hug, and a force to just be there for them through the thick and thin. Because if no one is there for them, they will turn to other forces; far more destructive forces.

The popular blonde will turn to cutting; the brilliant math student will turn to sex; the quiet Goth will turn to anorexia; the super lacrosse player will turn to drugs; the loud obnoxious prankster will turn to her elaborate mental retreat.

You have the power to be their force, to be their calm when the tempest is at its height. You have the power to save them from themselves, to help lead them away from destruction and into a happier existence. You have the power to be their Angel Mechanism.