IJMC - I Promised Lighthearted

Ok, for those who might have worried, this post was started right after 
the rant. However, my local phone monopoly decided that 1:27am in the 
morning was a great time to play "disconnect" with my phone lines... 
second mishap in less than a month and a half...only this time they took 
them both down. Anyway, four people later, the lines function and I am 
now able to send the lighthearted bit...enjoy, and sorry for the delay.

[Now on with your previously scheduled Post, already in progress...]

And for the most part, I think this delivers. If nothing else, I read 
this and it touched me. I can say my spirits were raised. I disagree with 
some of the sentiments, the reasons why what was done was done, but that 
does not lessen the meaning to me. Remember that when you read this, that 
a message is not necessarily lessened just because of differing beliefs. 
The message, the meaning, can still be just as strong.              -dave






   For special people

I am a mother of three (ages 14, 12, 3) and have recently complete 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 his way of
sharing special play time 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 deficient 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 trough me to give you hope." I started to cry as I
walked away to join my husband and son.  Then 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
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.  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. 

If you think this story has touched you in any way, please send
this to everyone you know.