But before I give you that, I must back up a bit first.
I want to extend a sincere Thank You to those of you who reached out to us to share your love and concern for us, as well as to share how much the story inspired or touched your heart, like it did mine.
To be honest, I was quite surprised by the different responses and reactions. I was actually taken quite off guard by the whole thing (I come from a long family history of people working in law enforcement). In fact, I even started to question whether or not I had a "thick enough skin" to continue to be a "Blogger". I have since worked through all of those issues, thankfully. It has taken me some time to process all that has transpired (and I can't share all of that here, unfortunately) since meeting Breoine that I haven't been even able to organize my thoughts well enough to post - until now.
Basically, what I learned from my "coincidental" meeting with that sweet 11-year old boy a few weeks ago, that I also want my kids to hopefully learn LONG before I did, is to:
Do Good Anyway
You see, I came across this "poem" which was credited to Mother Teresa, back in 2009 when I was working with Dr.Gebhard (more about that whole experience in another post....stay tuned). Here it is:
Anyway
People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered.
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.
Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies.
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and sincere, people may deceive you.
Be honest and sincere anyway.
What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight.
Create anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous.
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, will often be forgotten.
Do good anyway.
Give the best you have, and it will never be enough.
Give your best anyway.
In the final analysis, it is between you and God.
It was never between you and them anyway.
Dr.Gebhard introduced me to this idea at one particular appointment. Basically, I was "venting" to her about a person I was having to deal with. I wanted to repay evil with evil, really. This person had hurt my feelings and I wanted to teach this person a "lesson" by not extending a gesture I KNEW was the right thing to do, but I was angry! I wanted this person to feel the hurt I was feeling. Of course, I was trying to get Dr. Gebhard to agree with me, but instead she said, "Have you ever read the book called Anyway? Surprisingly, I had not.
We talked a long time about the whole premise of the book and how I could apply this concept to my current situation. I left with a "homework assignment" (an explanation for this in another post...) to start practicing Random Acts of Kindness and to report back to her next time. I remember leaving that appointment just feeling awful about myself - seeing my selfishness and pride for what they really were.
After reading the book and discovering this beautiful poem written by Mother Teresa, along with completing my homework assignment from Dr.Gebhard, I noticed a "shift" in my thinking, if that's what you want to call it. I remember making the decision to really start putting forth a good effort to Do Good Anyway, regardless. Gulp! What was I getting myself into? I thought.
At first it was simple things like holding the door for someone. Simple, easy stuff to do just to see someone smile. It was fun to see the look on people's faces! There was one time where I actually saw Joy on a woman's face, just because I let her skip me in line (she must have been in a hurry).
Anyway, the whole process became quite fun and even challenging to come up with new ideas. I, then, involved the kids and Mark in the whole process because I was being so blessed in return by doing this and I wanted them to share in this experience with me. This is what led to the Advent Calendar Project.
After my time with Dr.Gebhard came to an end, the whole idea of practicing Random Acts of Kindness or Doing Good Anyway just sort of became a habit, really. A part of my life.
And then I met Breoine.
After dropping him off that day at the McDonald's, I honestly didn't think I would ever hear from him again. In my mind, I thought he would call me in an EMERGENCY ONLY. But that was not to be the case. You can call me naive, and you would probably be right.
After all, we had given him a glimmer of Hope, hadn't we?
In fact, we've had contact with him and his family since, and the needs are overwhelming. I AM overwhelmed because I do understand now and am completely aware of the REALITY of the situation ... how extending an inch can turn into a mile ... how this could all turn into a "scam" ... how I can't "save the world" type stuff. But I also know that sometimes you have to just Do Good Anyway.
After all, we had given him a glimmer of Hope, hadn't we?
In fact, we've had contact with him and his family since, and the needs are overwhelming. I AM overwhelmed because I do understand now and am completely aware of the REALITY of the situation ... how extending an inch can turn into a mile ... how this could all turn into a "scam" ... how I can't "save the world" type stuff. But I also know that sometimes you have to just Do Good Anyway.
So we are proceeding with caution, as we have been so lovingly and wisely been advised to do. And I do know that sometimes Doing Good Anyway involves taking a chance. But, I also firmly believe that Love is a chance you should take.
