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 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. Keep this going. E-mail all your
friends this message. E-mail all those friends you never met. Those you
have....


http://community.webtv.net/leannsangels/LEANNSILVERNAIL

http://community.webtv.net/leannsangels/THEOSMONDFAMILY

http://community.webtv.net/leannsangels/JOHNCUSACK