A feel good moment!

1. 86

   Zsuzsy Beeposted 15 years ago

   This story was in my e-mail box, sent to me by a friend. It kind of hit me in my soft spot. Thought I would share it with you here too.
   
   
   
   Breakfast at McDonald's
   
   This is a good story and is true, please read it all the way through until the end! (After the story, there are some very interesting facts!):
   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 playtime 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 son,the 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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2. 86

   Zsuzsy Beeposted 15 years ago

   I shamelessly brought this back to the top. There is so much misery out there a little  feel good read can't hurt any of us from time to time.

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3. 61

   SarahsHubCentsposted 15 years ago

   I really enjoyed this story thank you.

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4. 77

   Mighty Momposted 15 years ago

   Those heartwarming stories come into our lives when we really need them, don't they? I have tears in my eyes reading it. Of course not all encounters with humanity are this poignant, but it sure is nice when they are! Thank you for this gift today, Zsuzsybee! MM

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5. 60

   ajcorposted 15 years ago

   Thank you Szusybee - a really beautiful ripplemaking story - thanks

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6. 77

   ripplemakerposted 15 years ago

   Hi Zsuzsy bee, yes, it is good to be reminded so often.  It brings out the best in us somehow. Hugs...

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7. 56

   Dame Scribeposted 15 years ago

   Beautiful story and thank you for sharing. Reminds me of this homeless guy I use to give coins to about once a week. Again, thank you. made me cry too.

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8. 86

   Zsuzsy Beeposted 15 years ago

   I'm over at the Soup-Kitchen helping every Monday and until the day comes that places like that are not needed anymore for the homeless and the poor I think we all need to be reminded of how good our lives really are and share some of our wealth...either in time or money.

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9. 73

   Anna Marie Bowmanposted 15 years ago

   I read this a few months ago, I got it in an email, and it made me cry. Yep, I am a softy.  I love touching stories like this!!  Thank you for sharing it!!

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10. 60

    laringoposted 15 years ago

    A wonderful story to remind us all that showing compassion for those less fortunate is very rewarding in itself. Often in society, rejection is often the response when we encounter someone homeless or with there hand out. We don't know what circumstances that lead to there plight,especially with able-bodied people just out to scam us. What I try to do is be the bigger person and don't judge, but take a situation at face value and move on.

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