Inspiring E-mails

[Juan Cruz]

I got this email this morning and just had to share it with some of the most beautiful people on earth.

"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 t he 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

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.

Moral:

-If you have nice blue eyes you can get free scrambled eggs and pancakes for yourself and a friend.

-If you have nice blue eyes and take a shower you might a get a hug

-If you are a supercilious, self-righteous person you can get affirmation of your greatness for less than $10.00.

-most people can be counted to be nice at least once a semester

if they get college credit for it

-McDonalds has apparently started serving cake.

Pass this on to:

1-5 people and you'll be blessed

6-10 people and you'll be canonized

11-15 people and I can pretty much guarantee you're neurotic

Edited January 20, 2007 by Juan Cruz