OT: Breakfast at McDonald's

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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, 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.





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 its nest.

Replies

  • AmberElaine84
    AmberElaine84 Posts: 964 Member
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    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, 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.





    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 its nest.
  • neha_duvvuri
    neha_duvvuri Posts: 186 Member
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    Very well done and said.:cry:
    I don't know why people forget to:-
    LOVE PEOPLE AND USE THINGS - NOT LOVE THINGS AND USE PEOPLE.
  • SoupNazi
    SoupNazi Posts: 4,229 Member
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    That was a beautiful story. Thank you SO much for sharing with us.:heart:
  • Girlmom282109
    Girlmom282109 Posts: 2,643 Member
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    This reminds me of the time we stopped at the gas station to get gas and there was a homeless man there. There is a burger king in the gas station. Everyone in the car walked by the homeless man to go get food for themselves and we ordered what we wanted and a burger and fries for the homeless man. I always tell my husband that we might not be able to afford much but filling an empty belly makes me feel like I'm here for a reason.
  • ceedee22ed
    Options
    That is a really touching story...so many people walk around not realizing how hurtful their actions are (like backing away from a homeless person)
    One of the jugglers in my company proved me this lesson once...we were at Culture Plaza in downtown San Jose and this homeless person came up to talk to him...he was more than dirty...he had an overpowering smell...barefoot and in rags. Charlie (this juggler) not only spoke to him for like 10-15 minutes (aparently the juggler knew him from some place) but before they parted the old man (oblivious to the people walking by and making faces and rude comments about his odor) hugged Charlie for about 5 seconds. Then they each went their way...Charlie aproached me with an odd smile on his face...like he was ready to cry but holding it back. I asked him what was wrong or if he knew the old man well. He explained to me that he didnt actually know him at all and then he hurried off but didnt say where he was going. Later on I met up with him again and he apologized and explained that he was sick to his stomach but didnt mean to offend the old man as he was still standing nearby and didnt want him to see he was not well. charlie is very very susceptible to strong odors. nonetheless, he was worried about leaving a negative impression on this man that many people would not even treat like a person. some would not even stay on the same sidewalk with him, let alone embrace him. ill tell you...I learn stuff everyday with the kids that work with us...

    Thank you for sharing this story with us...it really reminds us that no matter how bad a person has had it in life...they are still a person with feelings and needs.
  • réalta
    réalta Posts: 895 Member
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    i hope that if i am ever in that situation i would be as brave and caring as you :flowerforyou:
  • j_g4ever
    j_g4ever Posts: 1,925 Member
    Options
    This reminds me of the time we stopped at the gas station to get gas and there was a homeless man there. There is a burger king in the gas station. Everyone in the car walked by the homeless man to go get food for themselves and we ordered what we wanted and a burger and fries for the homeless man. I always tell my husband that we might not be able to afford much but filling an empty belly makes me feel like I'm here for a reason.

    My husband and I do this same thing. If we see someone that is homeless we go to the nearest place and get them food. It makes you feel so much better. :flowerforyou:
  • Girlmom282109
    Girlmom282109 Posts: 2,643 Member
    Options
    This reminds me of the time we stopped at the gas station to get gas and there was a homeless man there. There is a burger king in the gas station. Everyone in the car walked by the homeless man to go get food for themselves and we ordered what we wanted and a burger and fries for the homeless man. I always tell my husband that we might not be able to afford much but filling an empty belly makes me feel like I'm here for a reason.

    My husband and I do this same thing. If we see someone that is homeless we go to the nearest place and get them food. It makes you feel so much better. :flowerforyou:

    It gives you that feeling that you would want them to do the same thing for you if the roles were turned.
  • mommared53
    mommared53 Posts: 9,543 Member
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    I've read that story before but it still makes me cry. :sad: Thanks for posting it. :flowerforyou:
  • Anna_Banana
    Anna_Banana Posts: 2,939 Member
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    Nice story.
  • AmberElaine84
    AmberElaine84 Posts: 964 Member
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    Ok, to set the story straight...It wasn't ME!! I was sent this email and it really did touch my heart and also make me wish that I could also be this kind to people. I actually had tears in my eyes and goosebumps, so I thought I would share this email with all of my MFP friends.:flowerforyou:
  • arewethereyet
    arewethereyet Posts: 18,702 Member
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    excellent reminder.
    :flowerforyou: