Touching a beggar`s cheek - A true story

The reason why we are sharing this heart-opening story is that we, as parents, are role models for our children.
The best way to teach is to live as an example.
What we do – our children will copy.
In our modern day and age – human qualities as compassion, touch, LOVE , warmth, understanding and empathy is needed more than ever.
To quote Gandhi:

“ BE the change you want to see in the world “
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I was walking in the streets of Oslo.
I saw only reflections of myself.
One mirror reflection was different.
A beggar was sitting on the sidewalk - enveloped by a dirty blanket...
His breath was frosty - it was a cold winters day.
His face was dirty and bitter..
His eyes were full of shame and sorrow.
And his body was bent, like he was trying to be invisible.
He was sitting there alone and lonely.
Forsaken and forgotten.
People were snorting and spitting, he was hiding deeper within.
Now and then a coin was tossed.

I did not have much to give, my pockets were empty.
But I went over to him, kneeling down in front of him.
I touched his shoulder as I said:

" Listen, my friend - I can only share my lunch-bag, my time and my LOVE......"

His eyes were lightened as I stroke his cold cheek with my warm hands.
No one had touched his skin for many years.
I put my lunch-bag in his lap...
His deep eyes were blank by now, a tear rolled down his cheek.

" I see myself in you - I see you in me....and I LOVE what I see - I LOVE you ! " I whispered.

He took my hand and said:

" Thank you - for 30 years I have wandered and sought - I let go of everything to find something of value. Until now I believed that I had lost myself. But then you came along, today, and gave me what I sought - what I did not believe existed no more - you gave me KINDNESS "

When I left I saw him sitting with an everlasting, warm smile on his lips…
He was not lonely any more….

I feel just as much LOVE for this beggar today - it is as if my heart is bursting of LOVE for the other part of myself...
I didn`t have any money to give - but what he really was wishing for, was for someone to see him, touch him and treat him like an equal...

For me he was an Angel - showing that there was a beautiful soul within this beggar...a soul that was longing for the touch of love...so I gave more than money...I gave dignity...

--Pearl Shanti