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Old 11-28-2001, 08:29 AM   #1 (permalink)
 
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Given the holiday season and the recent events that our country has suffered, I wanted to share this with everyone.

BREAKFAST AT MCDONALD'S...

I am a mother of three (ages 14, 12, 3) and have recently completed my college degree. The last class I had to take was Sociology. The teacher was absolutely inspiring with the qualities that I wish every human being had been graced with.

Her last project of the term was called "Smile."

The class was asked to go out and smile at three people and document their reactions. I am a very friendly person and always smile at everyone and say hello anyway, so, I thought this would be a piece of cake, literally.

Soon after we were assigned the project, my husband, youngest son, and I went out to McDonald's one crisp March morning. It
was just our way of sharing special play time with our son. We were standing in line,
waiting to be served, when all of a sudden everyone around us began to back away, and then even my husband did. I did not move an
inch .... an overwhelming feeling of panic welled up inside of me as I turned to see why they had moved.

As I turned around I smelled a horrible "dirty body" smell, and there standing behind me were two poor homeless men.

As I looked down at the short gentleman, close to me, he was "smiling". His beautiful sky blue eyes were full of God's Light as he searched for acceptance.

He said, "Good day" as he counted the few coins he had been clutching. The second man fumbled with his hands as he stood behind
his friend. I realized the second man was mentally challenged and the blue eyed gentleman was his salvation. I held my tears as I stood there with them.

The young lady at the counter asked him what they wanted. He said, "Coffee is all Miss" because that was all they could afford.
(If they wanted to sit in the restaurant and warm up, they had to buy something. He just
wanted to be warm).

Then I really felt it - the compulsion was so great I almost reached out and embraced the little man with the blue eyes. That is
when I noticed all eyes in the restaurant were set on me, judging my every action.

I smiled and asked the young lady behind the counter to give me two more breakfast meals on a separate tray. I then walked around the corner to the table that the men had chosen as a resting spot. I put the tray on the table and laid my hand on the blue eyed gentleman's cold hand.

He looked up at me, with tears in his eyes, and said, "Thank you.." I leaned over, began to pat his hand and said, "I did not do this for you. God is here working through me to give you hope."

I started to cry as I walked away to join my husband and son. When I sat down my husband smiled at me and said, "That is why God gave you to me, Honey. To give me hope." We held hands for a moment and at that time
we knew that only because of the Grace that we had been given were we able to give.

We are not church goers, but we are believers. That day showed me the pure Light of God's sweet love.

I returned to college, on the last evening of class, with this story in hand. I turned in "my project" and the instructor read it. Then she looked up at me and said, "Can I share this?" I slowly nodded as she got the attention of the class. She began to read and that is when I knew that we as human beings and being part of God, share this need to heal people and to be healed.

In my own way I had touched the people at
McDonald's, my husband, son, instructor, and every soul that shared the classroom on the last night I spent as a college student.

I graduated with one of the biggest lessons I would ever learn:

UNCONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE.

Much love and compassion is sent to each and every person who may read this and learn how to LOVE PEOPLE AND USE THINGS - NOT LOVE THINGS AND USE PEOPLE.

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Old 11-28-2001, 08:39 AM   #2 (permalink)
 
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That brought a tear to my eye.
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Old 11-28-2001, 09:35 AM   #3 (permalink)
 
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That would be easy and normal behavior for me, nothing new at all.
What would really be wonderful is if you and I could have the courage and conviction to TAKE THEM HOME WITH US, As you would with any family member or friend.
And yes if God was watching what did he really think?
"It was a start but we all need to go a lot further."
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Old 11-28-2001, 09:43 AM   #4 (permalink)
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Thank you Elsa for sharing. I also have tears. I am such a softie and this is such a heartwarming story. You have shed light on the very reason we are here. Fellow memebers, I urge you to do kind acts instead of putting these people down when they are already down on their luck.

Oh and one more thing folks, REMEMBER, THE POOR HOUSE IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER! It could very well be any of us in this situation at any givin moment.

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[ This Message was edited by: buntanner on 2001-11-28 09:45 ]
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Old 11-28-2001, 04:29 PM   #5 (permalink)
 
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You said a mouthful.
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Old 11-28-2001, 07:05 PM   #6 (permalink)
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Thanks for sharing this. I am printing this to hang by our nail dryers. It is a great reminder at this special time of year (and always). But for the grace of God, there go I.
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Old 11-28-2001, 07:10 PM   #7 (permalink)
 
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Oh my, what a wonderful story! It is heart warming to know there are still genuinely kind human beings left in this world. Thank you for sharing.
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Old 11-28-2001, 07:33 PM   #8 (permalink)
 
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Be sure to put a box of tissues by the nail dryer as well. I also had tears in my eyes. Anyone remember the story of the slippers? If you have a copy of it, could you post it? That one ripped my heart out last year.
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Old 11-28-2001, 09:43 PM   #9 (permalink)
 
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What a wonderful story, thanks for sharing it. It definitely touched my heart.
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Old 11-28-2001, 10:10 PM   #10 (permalink)
 
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Great story, very touching. A real wake up call as sometimes it is very easy to forget how great most of us have it.

Thank-you.
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