Breakfast at McDonald's

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.

To My Child

TO MY CHILD:

Just for this morning,
I am going to smile when I see your face and laugh
when I feel like crying.

Just for this morning,
I will let you choose what you want to wear,
and smile and say how perfect it is.

Just for this morning,
I am going to step over the laundry
and pick you up and take you tothe park to play.

Just for this morning,
I will leave the dishes in the sink,
and let you teach me how to put that puzzle of yours together.

Just for this afternoon,
I will unplug the telephone and keep the computer off,
and sit withyou in the backyard and blow bubbles.

Just for this afternoon,
I will not yell once, not even a tiny grumble
when you scream and whine for the ice cream truck,
and I will buy you one if he comes by.

Just for this afternoon,
I won't worry about what you are going to be when you grow up,
or second guess every decision I have made where you are concerned.

Just for this afternoon,
I will let you help me bake cookies,
and I won't stand over you trying to fix them.

Just for this afternoon,
I will take us to McDonald's and
buy us both a Happy Meal so you can have both toys.

Just for this evening,
I will hold you in my arms and tell you a story
about how you were born and how much I love you.

Just for this evening,
I will let you splash in the tub and not get angry.

Just for this evening,
I will let you stay up late while we sit on the porch and count all the stars.

Just for this evening,
I will snuggle beside you for hours, and miss my favorite TV shows.

Just for this evening when I run my finger through your hair as you pray,
I will simply be grateful that God has given me the greatest gift ever given.

I will think about the mothers and fathers who are searching for their missing children, the mothers and fathers who are visiting their children's graves instead of their bedrooms.

The mothers and fathers who are in hospital rooms
watching their children suffer senselessly and screaming inside that little body

And when I kiss you goodnight I will hold you a little tighter, a little longer.
It is then, that I will thank God for you, and ask him for nothing, except one more day..............

My Daily Wish

My daily wish is that we may
See good in those who pass our way;

Find in each a worthy trait
That we shall gladly cultivate;

See in each one passing by
The better things that beautifyA softly spoken word of cheer,
A kindly face, a smile sincere.

I pray each day that we may view
The things that warm one's heart anew;

The kindly deed that can't be bought
That only from good are wrought,
A burden lightened here and there,
A brother lifted from despair,
The aged ones freed from distress;

The lame, the sick, brought happiness.
Grant that before each sun has set

We'll witness deeds we can't forget;

A soothing hand to one in pain,
A sacrifice for love - not gain;

A word to ease the troubled mind
Of one whom fate has dealt unkind.

See good in all who pass our way.

Never Judge a Book by it's cover

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY

Man complicates life

Man must feel the earth to
know himself and recognize his
values.... God made life simple.
It is man who complicates it.
~Charles A. Lindbergh,
Reader's Digest, July 1972

Value what's yours

Value already yours
+++++++++++++++++++

When you take something for granted, you can quickly forget
That it's even there. If you take it for granted long
Enough, it may in fact be gone the next time you look for
It.

Why is gratitude so very powerful? Because it keeps you
Connected to all the good things in your life.

Don't let the immense value that's already yours wander away
Because of neglect. Take time to remember, take time to
Celebrate and be grateful, and take time to say thank you.

Instead of continually wishing for more, take a loving and
Thankful look at all that you already have. By sincerely
Appreciating what's already yours, you can build upon it to
Reach any dream you could possibly imagine.

Make it a habit to reflect each day on how truly fortunate
You are. It is your awareness that enables your richest
Blessings to continue unfolding and expanding throughout
Your world.

See the beauty that's already there, and the value that's
Already yours. It is more than enough to propel you
Positively and meaningfully forward.

~~Ralph Marston

Facing Fear

You gain strength, courage, and confidence
by every experience in which you
really stop to look fear in the face.
You must do the thing
which you think you cannot do.
~Eleanor Roosevelt~

Serving Others

If I have been of service,
if I have glimpsed more of the nature
And essence of ultimate good,
if I am inspired to reach wider
Horizons of thought and action,
if I am at peace with myself,
It has been a successful day.
Alex Noble

Kind Words

"Kind words can be short and easy to speak,
but their echoes are truly endless."
Mother Teresa

I've Learned

I've learned that the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person.

I've learned that when you're in love, it shows.

I've learned that just one person saying to me, "You've made my day!" makes my day.

I've learned that having a child fall asleep in your arms is one of the most peaceful feelings in the world.

I've learned that being kind is more important than being right.

I've learned that you should never say no to a gift from a child.

I've learned that I can always pray for someone when I don't have the strength to help him in some other way.

I've learned that no matter how serious your life requires you to be, everyone needs a friend to act goofy with.

I've learned that sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand.

I've learned that simple walks with my father around the block on summer nights when I was a child did wonders for me as an adult.

I've learned that life is like a roll of toilet paper, the closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.

I've learned that we should be glad God doesn't give us everything we ask for.

I've learned that money doesn't buy class.

I've learned that it's those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular.

I've learned that under everyone's hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved.

I've learned that the Lord didn't do it all in one day, what makes me think I can?

I've learned that to ignore the facts does not change the facts.

I've learned that when you plan to get even with someone, you are only letting that person continue to hurt you.

I've learned that love, not time, heals all wounds.

I've learned that the easiest way for me to grow as a person, is to surround myself with people smarter than I am.

I've learned that everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile.

I've learned that there's nothing sweeter than sleeping with your babies and feeling their breath on your cheeks.

I've learned that no one is perfect until you fall in love with them.

I've learned that life is tough, but I'm tougher.

I've learned that opportunities are never lost; someone will take the ones you miss.

I've learned that when you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere.

I've learned that I wish I could have told my Mom that I love her, one more time, before she passed away.

I've learned that one should keep his words both soft and tender, because tomorrow he may have to eat them.

I've learned that a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.

I've learned that I can't choose how I feel, but I can choose what I do about it.

I've learned that when your newly born grandchild holds your little finger in his little fist, that you're hooked for life.

I've learned that everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you're climbing it.

I've learned that it is best to give advice in only two circumstances; when it is requested and when it is a life-threatening situation.

I've learned that the less time I have to work with, the more things I get done.

Taking the Time

Taking the time every day to recognize what
you're grateful for helps keep things in
perspective. Gratitude carries you through the
tough times, and gives you the strength to surpass
the stress of challenges.

Reflect on your family, your friends or the place
where you live, and the satisfaction they
bring you. Think about your good health and your
mental or physical talents. Consider the pleasure
you receive from a phone call with a friend or
a laugh you shared with your children.

Look back on small and large moments - the affection
of a pet, your success in the garden or a deep and fulfilling
relationship. These are all things that nourish gratitude.
And gratitude makes life worth living.

Jane Powell