Breakfast at McDonald's

This morning, a good friend sent me this wonderful story about love and acceptance. I tend to think of it as a synchronicity, because I was thinking along these very same lines just before I read the email, and there was this story ... I'm told it's true, but regardless, it sure touched my heart, as I'm sure it will touch yours, as well.


Breakfast at McDonald's
Author Unknown

I am a mother of three (ages 14, 12, 3) and I've 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 various reactions. I'm 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 on a crisp March morning. It was just our way of sharing some special time alone 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 didn't move an inch, but an overwhelming feeling of panic welled up inside of me as I turned around to see why they had all 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 closest to me, I saw that he was smiling. His beautiful sky blue eyes were full of spiritual light as he searched for acceptance. Meeting my eyes, he said, "Good day", as he counted the few coins he had been clutching tightly in his fist.

The second man fumbled with his hands as he stood behind his friend. I quickly realized the second man was mentally challenged and it was apparent that the blue-eyed gentleman was his salvation. I held my tears as I stood there with them.

The young lady at the counter curtly asked him what they wanted. He said, "Coffee is all, Miss", because that was all they could afford. (You could almost read in the lady's demeanor: if they wanted to sit in the restaurant and warm up, they had to buy something. It was obvious, they 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's when I noticed that all eyes in the restaurant were focused 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. After she handed me the tray, I then walked around the corner to the table the men had chosen as a resting spot. I set 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, Ma'am."

I leaned over, patted his hand and said, "I didn't 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's why the universe 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 gifts that we were given were we able to give. We are not church goers, but we are believers in a higher authority.

That single 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 asked, "May I share this?"

I slowly nodded as she got the attention of the class. She began to read aloud and that's when I knew that we as human beings are a part of something so much more. We all share this need to heal others and to be healed ourselves in the process. 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 so much more than a degree. I learned one of the biggest lessons I would ever learn during my lifetime: Unconditional Acceptance. Much love and compassion is sent to each and every person who may read this. Let's continue to learn how to love people and use things -- not love things and use people.

Namaste.