******A Mothers Story****** We were the only family with children in the restaurant. I sat Erik in a high chair and noticed everyone was quietly eating and talking. Suddenly, Erik squealed with glee and said, Hi there. He pounded his fat baby hands on the high-chair tray. His eyes were wide with excitement and his mouth was bared in a toothless grin. He wriggled and giggled with merriment. I looked around and saw the source of his merriment. It was a man with a tattered rag of a coat, dirty, greasy and worn. His pants were baggy with a zipper at half-mast and his toes poked out of would be shoes. His shirt was dirty and his hair was uncombed and unwashed. His whiskers were too short to be called a beard and his nose was so varicose, it looked like a road map. We were too far from him to smell, but I was sure he smelled. His hands waved and flapped on loose wrists. Hi there, baby; hi there, big boy. I see ya, buster, the man said to Erik. My husband and I exchanged looks, What do we do? Everyone in the restaurant noticed and looked at us and then at the man. The old geezer was creating a nuisance with my beautiful baby. Our meal came and the man began shouting from across the room, Do ya know patty cake? Do you know peek-a-boo? Hey, look, he knows peek-a boo! Nobody thought the old man was cute. He was obviously drunk. My husband and I were embarrassed. We ate in silence, all except for Erik, who was running through his repertoire for the admiring skid-row bum, who in turn, reciprocated with his cute comments. We finally got through the meal and headed for the door. My husband went to pay the check and told me to meet him in the parking lot. The old man sat poised between me and the door. Lord, just let me out of here before he speaks to me or Erik, I prayed. As I drew closer to the man, I turned my back trying to side-step him and avoid any air he might be breathing. As I did, Erik leaned over my arm, reaching with both arms in a babys pick-me-up position. Before I could stop him, Erik had propelled himself from my arms to the mans. Suddenly a very old smelly man and a very young baby consummated their love relationship. Erik, in an act of total trust, love, and submission laid his tiny head upon the mans ragged shoulder. The mans eyes closed and I saw tears hover beneath his lashes. His aged hands full of grime, pain and hard labor-gently, so gently cradled my babys bottom and stroked his back. No two beings have ever loved so deeply for so short a time. I stood awestruck. The old man rocked and cradled Erik in his arms for a moment, and then his eyes opened and set squarely on mine. He said in a firm commanding voice, You take care of this baby. Somehow I managed, I will, from a throat that contained a stone. He pried Erik from his chest unwillingly, longingly, as though he were in pain. I received my baby, and the man said, God bless you, maam, youve given me my Christmas gift. I said nothing more than a muttered thanks. With Erik in my arms, I ran for the car. My husband was wondering why I was crying and holding Erik so tightly, and why I was saying, My God, my God, forgive me. I had just witnessed Christs love shown through the innocence of a tiny child who saw no sin, who made no judgment, a child who saw a soul, and a mother who saw a suit of clothes. I was a Christian who was blind, holding a child who was not. I felt it was God asking.... Are you willing to share your son for a moment?, when He shared His for an eternity. The ragged old man, unwittingly, had reminded me, To enter the Kingdom of God, we must become as little children. Other well-known quotes come to mind, many my own mother or grandmother have spoken on many occasions. Never judge a book by its cover , you might miss out on a beautiful story..... and The truth comes from the mouth of babes.... The true measure of success, is measured by lives you touch, and those who touch yours. A good character is the best tombstone. Those who loved you and were helped by you will remember you when forget-me-nots have withered. Carve your name on hearts, not on marble. ,-,*´`*°☆ /.( ..Please keep all those in harms way, ill or alone`☆´¸.✫ \ { *.☆...In our thoughts and prayers✰`•‿✫˚¯`☆ `-`☆.¸¸.•´☆May all in need find a caring heart✫.¸`★ ☆´¸.✫gentle kindness and a dash of hope ˚✰˚•.¸ʚįɞ ❀˚ ˚✰˚´We will change the world´✫ One act of kindness`‿✿ ✰`•‿✫‿at a time.`❉¸.•*¨ღAmen✰`•‿✫ ~~~~~~If we only make a difference to one person in our lives, it has been worth it. Dont stop making a difference because you feel overwhelmed by the magnitude of the chaos in our world, or around us, just keep yourself open to make that difference even if it is only one person, that is huge. Those simple things like making a meal for someone who is ill, walking an elderly person across a road, listening to someone without judging or trying to fix it, giving of your resources to someone more in need than yourself, not because they asked, but because you noticed. ~~~~~~ ~~~~~~To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world! The world is full of people who need someone who understands. The smallest gesture might mean the world to someone else. Some times all we need is kindness, understanding and compassion........be kind, we are all fighting our own battles/demons....when you extend your hand, do it to help someone back up from their depths.......Give someone a smile who might have lost theirs along the way...... :D Life is so short. We can be here today and gone tomorrow. Dont wait for tomorrow to let your loved ones know how much you love them.........for tomorrow for them may be too late................to my dear family and friends, you are truly special to me and I love you much..... ♥ enjoy your day and have a safe and happy weekend......((hugs))....Lynn..... :D ♥ ~~~~~~
Posted on: Fri, 04 Apr 2014 15:56:48 +0000