I
am a mother of three 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 reaction. 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 McDonalds, 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 deficient and the blue eyed gentle man 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 (to sit in
the restaurant and warm up, they had to buy something...they
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
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 (part of God) share this
need to heal.
In
my own way I had touched the people at McDonalds, 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..... after all ....we are here to learn!
Much
love and compassion sent to each and every person who may read
this.
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