In the late 90’s and early 2000’s I was spending a great deal of time coaching at international competitions. I was lucky enough to have been able to travel to Paris in 3 or 4 back to back to back years for competitions and was EXTRA lucky that my daughter was able to travel with me.
Following the competition we stayed at a hotel very near Notre Dame. We would walk by it 3 or 4 times a day.
On one occasion as we walked by Maddie noticed a man feeding birds. He would hold out his hand and little birds would land on his hand as he fed them. For Maddie, this was magic. She held out her hands but no birds came near her. The gentleman that was feeding the birds gave her a small piece of bread and showed her how.
The look of delight on both their faces when she fed the birds from her hand was amazing.
I wouldn’t say this man was homeless but he certainly was underprivileged. I think he was happy to just NOT BE INVISIBLE. That someone took the time to interact with him.
A day or so later Maddie and I were having breakfast and I noticed that she had taken a croissant and put it in her pocket. I knew she was going to be feeding the birds that day. That afternoon as we approached Notre Dame she asked if she could buy a Crepe. She ordered a ham and cheese crepe but didn’t even take a bite.
As we walked in front she went up and handed her crepe to the “bird man”. His smile lit up the day. Then Maddie proceeded to feed the birds.
I was so proud of her. Thinking beyond just her needs and desires.
A year later we were back in Paris.
As we walked by Notre Dame, Maddie reached into her pocket, pulled out a croissant for the birds and an apple for the “bird man”.
Churches like Notre Dame are not just a building to worship in. They are the center of the city. A place that brings people together. The acts of kindness do not only happen inside the walls. It doesn’t need to be a church. It can be your town square. The Lincoln Memorial, The Western Wall. It is your heart that makes it special.
Take a moment today and do something nice for somebody. Just because it is the right thing to do.
VACILANDO 