Homeless

Subject: FW: "Breakfast at McDonalds "

This is worth your time!! 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.

If you think this story has touched you in any way, please send this on.
There are Angels sent to watch over us. Pass this on to the people you want
watched over. 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 its food, but He does not throw it into its nest.
We are here to help each other.

Find a Rescue Mission near you,
and volunteer to serve the homeless,
the addicted, the lost, the needy,
and the least, or just to donate.
Check your local phone book.

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