Democratic Underground Latest Greatest Lobby Journals Search Options Help Login
Google

Breakfast At McDonald's

Printer-friendly format Printer-friendly format
Printer-friendly format Email this thread to a friend
Printer-friendly format Bookmark this thread
This topic is archived.
Home » Discuss » The DU Lounge Donate to DU
 
mermaid Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Nov-21-05 11:14 PM
Original message
Breakfast At McDonald's
original author unknown

Breakfast at McDonald's ... Please read until the end.

This is a good story and is true, please read it all the way through
until the end!

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 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.

Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
Name removed Donating Member (0 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Nov-21-05 11:17 PM
Response to Original message
1. Deleted sub-thread
Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.
 
Cats Against Frist Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Nov-22-05 12:40 AM
Response to Original message
2. Now I'm going to be up all night, deconstructing this
It's truly fascinating.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
mermaid Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Nov-22-05 12:44 AM
Response to Reply #2
3. Well, Hopefully, You Won't See Just The Negative
like the two hopelessly cynical people before you did.

I wanted to use stronger language to describe them, but in the end, decided not to. They can use their imaginations, and figure out what I think of them.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Floogeldy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Nov-22-05 12:45 AM
Response to Original message
4. I do shit like this all of the time.
Only I don't cry about it.

Life is hard.

Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
NMMNG Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Nov-22-05 12:46 AM
Response to Original message
5. The moral of the story is beautiful
I have to take out the God stuff, as I'm an atheist. However the moral of the story is overwhelmingly beautiful. Thank you for sharing. :hug:
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
WindRavenX Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Nov-22-05 12:47 AM
Response to Reply #5
6. yup
It never ceases to amaze me how cruelly people act towards to homeless...all it takes is a smile to make someone feel human.
I really hate capitalism during the holidays...
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
NMMNG Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Nov-22-05 12:53 AM
Response to Reply #6
9. Indeed
And here goes the Rethuglican party cutting services to the needy (and giving the rich more tax cuts) right before the holidays. Compassionate Conservativism my arse.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Err Donating Member (887 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Nov-22-05 12:47 AM
Response to Reply #5
7. I agree.
I just don't like the god stuff about it.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
NMMNG Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Nov-22-05 12:52 AM
Response to Reply #7
8. Me either, but I'm able to look past it
Particularly since it is one of our own writing it, and not somebody with an agenda.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
GirlinContempt Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Nov-22-05 12:59 AM
Response to Reply #8
11. Thank *insert non-religion based expletive* for that
Seriously. :)
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
NMMNG Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Nov-22-05 01:10 AM
Response to Reply #11
13. .........
:hug: :-)
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
mermaid Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Nov-22-05 12:40 PM
Response to Reply #8
21. Thank You
That is the point!!

LOOK PAST THE GOD-STUFF....SEE THE IMPORTANT MESSAGE - THERE'S A FUCKING REASON I BOLDED IT!!

It it the part that more so-called "Christians" need to see, and they don't.

Now, if my own people can't see it, even when I BOLD it...what the HELL is the hope that the so-called "Christians" ever will?
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Arugula Latte Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Nov-22-05 02:33 AM
Response to Reply #5
14. Yes, beautiful story, but I rolled my eyes at the god stuff.
"I did not do this for you." Well, what the hell is wrong with doing something just to help a human? Why bring some invisible diety into it? I'll never understand why people can't just be kind to one another without the "god carrot" dangling in front of them.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Skittles Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Nov-22-05 05:43 AM
Response to Reply #14
15. ditto on that
I don't understand it either, it's like some kind of crutch.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
mermaid Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Nov-22-05 12:43 PM
Response to Reply #15
22. I Agree, But, Hey...WHATEVER IT TAKES!!!
If some people need that God-carrot to do the RIGHT thing, then I say give 'em the God-carrot.

I don't need it to do the right thing, but some people do. Oh, well...if it causes them to do the right thing, the decent thing...the HUMAN thing...then so be it. Let them credit some invisible God if that is what it takes to get them to do good!
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
mermaid Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Nov-22-05 12:34 PM
Response to Reply #5
20. Thank You
The God-stuff isn't all that important to me, either. That is why I bolded the last part. It's the part more so-called Christians ought to see.

And if people who share my political ideology can't even see that...even when I go and BOLD it...then how the hell can I expect people who are diametrically opposite me in ideology to see the important message....about loving people and not things!!!
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
faithfulcitizen Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Nov-22-05 12:56 AM
Response to Original message
10. It's a wonderful story, thanks for sharing. It's amazing how easy it is
to be everyday angels to others. And sometimes all it takes is a smile for someone who might be having the worst day of thier life. Don't let the negative people get to you or take the goodness from your post. Loving and helping one another is what dems say they support. I appreciate the story. :)
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
tigereye Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Nov-22-05 01:08 AM
Response to Original message
12. that was very moving
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
BelleCarolinaPeridot Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Nov-22-05 07:59 AM
Response to Original message
16. Nice story .
I understood your point. My cheerios are acid free this morning ;) :hi:
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Bridget Burke Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Nov-22-05 09:29 AM
Response to Original message
17. "McDonald's one crisp March morning"--724 Google hits!
www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=%22McDonald%27s+one+crisp+March+morning%22

The word is Glurge!



Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
lady raven Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Nov-22-05 10:06 AM
Response to Reply #17
18. Even so...
It may just be glurge, but it's still a nice story with a good lesson included in it. Real or not, I find it inspiring. Imagine if we all treated each other with that kind of compassion and kindness. This would would be a VERY different place.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
mermaid Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Nov-22-05 12:51 PM
Response to Reply #18
23. Exactly!
I really don't give a shit if it is a true story or not, really.

Someone sent it to me on the 'Net.

I am suffering severe depression, due to my own economic hardships, caused by Bush.

Well, that was the first glimmer of light I have seen in two years!!

When I saw that last line....LOVE PEOPLE AND USE THINGS...NOT LOVE THINGS AND USE PEOPLE!!! well, damn, that was the first glimmer of hope I'd had in a long time.

And to have a few assholes come in here and piss all over it, just because it mentions God...well, now that really pisses me the fuck off, and I don't mind saying so, either.

So far, I have put one of the annoying people on Ignore.

I really don't like putting my fellow DU'ers on ignore, but that guy was simply more than I am able to tolerate at the moment.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Bill McBlueState Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Nov-22-05 01:04 PM
Response to Reply #17
24. hey, learned a new word!
Thanks, I knew there had to be a word for stories like this.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Celeborn Skywalker Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Nov-22-05 12:33 PM
Response to Original message
19. Nice Story!
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
DU AdBot (1000+ posts) Click to send private message to this author Click to view 
this author's profile Click to add 
this author to your buddy list Click to add 
this author to your Ignore list Wed Apr 24th 2024, 08:25 PM
Response to Original message
Advertisements [?]
 Top

Home » Discuss » The DU Lounge Donate to DU

Powered by DCForum+ Version 1.1 Copyright 1997-2002 DCScripts.com
Software has been extensively modified by the DU administrators


Important Notices: By participating on this discussion board, visitors agree to abide by the rules outlined on our Rules page. Messages posted on the Democratic Underground Discussion Forums are the opinions of the individuals who post them, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Democratic Underground, LLC.

Home  |  Discussion Forums  |  Journals |  Store  |  Donate

About DU  |  Contact Us  |  Privacy Policy

Got a message for Democratic Underground? Click here to send us a message.

© 2001 - 2011 Democratic Underground, LLC