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
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 deficient 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 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.
If you think this story has touched you in any way,
please send this to everyone you know.
There is an Angel sent to watch over you. In order
for her to work, you must pass this on to the people
you want watched over.
An Angel wrote: Many people will walk in and out of
your life, but only true friends will leave footprints
in your heart.
To handle yourself, use your head, To handle others,
use your heart.
God Gives every bird it's food, but He does not
throw it into it's nest.
The music you are listening to was Composed, Arranged and Played by Yuko Ohigashi and is copyrighted. Please visit her web site for more beautiful music. The song is called "A Song For You."
