Monday, July 4, 2016

Overwhelmed

Hey All.

My momma is overwhelmed.  On reading that you might be thinking, "oh know!."  But it's not like that, let me tell you a story, a true story.  I think most of you know that in addition to my momma working at our church she works at The Lantern House Homeless Shelter.  My momma is the kitchen manager and main cooking chef woman.  About 2 years ago a guy named Mike lived at the shelter.  Momma says Mike was a nice guy, as many of the people are at the shelter.  One day Mike said he wanted to give my momma a gift, a thank you for what she did/does not only for him but for all the people who come to the shelter.  My momma said "thank you, but employees are not allow to accept gifts from clients/residents."  Time went on and Mike left the shelter, he would come back every once in a while to have lunch, always making sure to say hi to my momma.  Then on Monday momma got a call at work, it was Mike and he asked if she could meet him outside of his apartment, he had something for her.  Momma met Mike and another former resident of the shelter and Mike handed her this:

It's my angel brother Goose.  But wait there is more to this story.  See Mike started working on this gift while he lived at the shelter, TWO YEARS ago.  For all this time he has been working on it.  A few months ago Mike was hit by a car and now he is in a wheelchair.  As he was healing he continued to work on this gift.  So what is it?  Is it a drawing?  Is it a painting?  Is it a sketch?  Nope.  It is a piece of glass.  Mike took a piece of glass and etched Gooses likeness on the glass!!!!  Using whatever pointy instrument at hand.  In fact this is the 3rd attempt Mike made in making this gift.  The previous 2 broke, one when it was almost complete.  But Mike picked up another piece of glass and started again. 

I wish you could run your paws across the glass and feel the peak and valleys of this etched, scratched out work of art.  It looks just like Goose.  My momma was so overwhelmed that tears started to fall from her eyes.  If ya know my momma you know she doesn't shed tears often, even when she wants to she holds them back.  But she could not hold back the tears when Mike gave this to her.  Mike wrote a long note to my momma on the back of the frame and I want to share with you a small part of what he wrote,  "Thank you for seeing me as a real person while I was at the shelter, not many could or would.  Often people would just look past me and others like me, you didn't, always greeting with a smile and how are you.  Thank you......"

I share a little of what Mike wrote because I believe it is important.  No matter if someone is homeless or lives in a mansion, is wealthy or poor, is thin or fat, is old or young, or smells bad or like they just stepped out of a spa,  my friends it doesn't matter, no one is worth more than another.  We all walk this earth together, we all have feelings, hopes, dreams.  The beautiful thing to do is treat each other with dignity and respect.  Know what happens when we do that?  The world just gets more and more beautiful.

Blessings,
Buddy

Here is a photo of Goose so you can see how much Mike captured him.

24 comments:

  1. What a beautiful gift of love, thanks for sharing Mike's words--- so true!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. we had to fight with our tears too while reading. It is an artpiece and it is so wonderful... and it is a part of your friend Mike... it's overwhelming how much people loved angel brother Goose...

    ReplyDelete
  3. Just bawling my eyes out right now. That is one special gift that we know you'll treasure always.

    Hugs,
    Kim

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hari OM
    ...dang, why are these keys wet???... Love with the capital 'ell' right there, eh Buddy? What a talented man. Yup. Love is the thing... hugs and wags, YAM-aunty xxx

    ReplyDelete
  5. no wonder mama is overwhelmed. this is AMAZING.. he is truly talented.. did i say Amazing?? wow... i once asked a table full of homeless men, while eating lunch with them, what would they like from other people? they all agreed they wanted to be seen and spoken to, for people to see them as people and not to walk around or across the street but to look them in the eye and talk to them..

    ReplyDelete
  6. Buddy, your Momma is a very special woman, and that is a truly great story - and an amazing piece of artwork! Your Momma inspires so many people every day - give her a big kiss (an extra one!) from us!

    *kissey face*
    -Fiona and Abby the Hippobottomus (and family, who is also inspired by your Momma)

    ReplyDelete
  7. OH MY... that is the most BEAUTIFUL and heartfelt gift we have ever seen. The work and LOVE and talent and DEDICATION to the project are exactly like the LOVE and Talent and Dedication your mom has always shown to her work with Lantern House. WOW. WOW. W O W !!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Oh wow oh wow! That is absolutely amazing. Mike is a wonderful guy, and your momma is a wonderful person to inspire that kind of emotion!

    ReplyDelete
  9. What a beautiful gift for your mom. Mike sure was determined to finish the project. It shows just how much your mom touched him and made a difference in his life. She is a beautiful woman.

    ReplyDelete
  10. What a blessing you two have been to each other. (not to exclude Bud). Wish more people saw through your eyes and heart Michelle. God Bless
    Jennifer

    ReplyDelete
  11. What a wonderful post in honor of sweet Goose.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Now that is a gift to treasure forever.
    Mike has a eye to See Beautiful.
    xo Astro

    ReplyDelete
  13. One of the most amazing and beautiful things we have ever seen.
    Just beautiful
    hugs
    Mr Bailey, Hazel & Mabel

    ReplyDelete
  14. That is amazing,And what a wonderful way to say thank you to your momma,xx Speedy

    ReplyDelete
  15. what a wonderful and beautiful gift....and message

    ReplyDelete
  16. A deeply touching gift and testament to how much little gestures can mean. Brought tears to my eyes too.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Oh my gosh! That is beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  18. That is such a touching, beautiful thing to do! And yes, it looks JUST LIKE Goose! Remarkable. And his message is so true.
    Cammie!

    ReplyDelete
  19. This brought tears to my eyes...so beautiful and so thoughtful.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Oh boy ! Such a heartfelt gift
    Snorts,
    Lily & Edward

    ReplyDelete
  21. OH wow!! what a gift. Thats awesome!!
    My mom would have been crying like crazy too...this even made her get teary!!! I know that you will cherish this gift forever. He has such talent WOW!!

    Wags
    Oreo

    ReplyDelete
  22. Wow! Absolutely beautiful!

    Monty, Harlow and Ramble

    ReplyDelete
  23. Oh me Buddy
    Blessings come when you least expect them. God had some special plans for Mike and his talent.
    Hugs madi and mom

    ReplyDelete
  24. Beautiful and meaningful...what a wonderful gesture from a very caring man...who took the time and energy to express his love and gratitude to you for what you did for him. Very beautiful post!

    ReplyDelete