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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWhy are we still alive?
I just read this post by my niece (15) on Facebook. It reminded me of a similar scene at this Burger King in downtown Miami a few years ago.
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. turned in 'my project' and the instructor read it. Then she looked up at me and said, 'Can I share this?' 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.
I googled it here: http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/s/smiles.htm
Xipe Totec
(43,890 posts)Here at DU.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x3444530#3445891
One: My own...
I had just moved to a new city to start a life on my own. I literally did not know anybody in a town of over a million souls.
Heading home on a dark rainy night I saw a hitchhiker making his way up the freeway. He was using a trash bag as a raincoat, with arms and head sticking out through holes he punched in the bag. Unshaved, unkempt, and unfed for two days, as I found out after I picked him up.
Took him home, fed him half of my meager rations (I had just received my first small paycheck), and gave him a place to sleep in my apartment. Took him to the bus station the next morning, put a 20 dollar bill in his hand, and wished him good fortune.
Afterwords I realized what I risk I took by doing this, and it made me shiver to think that my life could have ended there and then.
I don't know what ever happened to the man. I can only hope he found his way to safety.
Back then, I was alone and did not have anyone depending on me for their livelihood. Today, with a wife and three children, I don't know that I could afford to take such a risk.
I am glad I did it, when I was still able.
mikeysnot
(4,757 posts)The Truth
This story is widely reprinted on the Internet.
We have not found a source for it.
http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/s/smiles.htm#.UQnYIGdyGSo
Life is cruel unfortunately.
Xipe Totec
(43,890 posts)I just showed you a first hand account of my personal experience.
Not something I read; something I experienced.
These things do happen.
People can be kind.
mia
(8,361 posts)Being mean is so personally painful.
mia
(8,361 posts)Why not?
mia
(8,361 posts)I understand more about what life is all about.
freshwest
(53,661 posts)mikeysnot
(4,757 posts)Was this a sociology assignment or "god's will" I am confused?
She was supposed to buy them lunch/breakfast? or smile at them and record their reaction and write a report?
The Internet is making people stupid.
Ignore the Internet.
You have been warned.
Have a good night.
Robb
(39,665 posts)Xipe Totec
(43,890 posts)mikeysnot
(4,757 posts)have a nice day.
Tomorrow you may have an opportunity to smile.
and I am smiling.