When did we learn THAT lesson?

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Here is our boy in front of George Washington on Liberty Square.
I told him about the first president, and the "Birthplace of America".
Where America discovered it could be independent from a King in a faraway land.
This is where brave men came over 200 years ago to do what was thought to be impossible.
He got some of it, most was surely, "bloah blah blah" Mom words.
But I said it and we did it and we enjoyed it.
We took the duck tour of Philadelphia and the Delaware river.  He loved to Duck part, and quacking at people on street.  I enjoyed the history and people watching.
There was also a rally in Liberty square filled with nearly 10.000 people joined to "Keep God in Politics."
Pat Robertson was there, along with representatives of the Muslim faith and Jewish faith.
Of course plenty of Christians gathered singing prayerful songs and handing out pamphlets with repulsive pics of aborted fetus's.
What makes anyone of any faith think its ok to hand a seven year old boy a pic of a torn apart fetus?
What is Christlike in that? hmmmmm?
Jack and I walked around Liberty square for about 45 minutes before our duck tour.  Lots of people.  Lots of good hearted best intentioned folks.
A few scary ones too.
So moving on.
We took our tour all was well.
Headed back to the hotel then went for a nice walk through town to get fancy cupcakes.
Ella Jack, Mandy and I walked and chatted and enjoyed the benefits of  signing the declaration of Independence so many years ago.
That document is displayed in bulletproof glass protected by Park Service and Police.
While walking we came across a homeless man sitting in the sidewalk holding a sign, that I didn't read.
I hurried Jack along taking his hand and rushing him past.
While Mandy and I exchanged concerned glances, Jack pulled me to a stop.
"He is a homeless man Mom."
"Yes he is Jack."
"He has no family, no home, no food?"
"probably."
It is now that I realize the lesson to be learned in Philadelphia on this date.
"I think he needs us."
Dear God.  Help me.  Give me a hint what to do here.
"His sign says hes hungry."
"OK, How about a dollar for him, will that help him?"
"Oh yes Mom, a dollar would be great he can buy a burger."
I rummaged through my bag and found a dollar, handed it to Jack.
He smiled a big smile that I could feel hit me in the heart like an arrow.
he grabbed Ellas hand and they walked back around the corner and walked up to the mans side and handed him the dollar.
He was a young man, maybe thirty.
dirty, tired, strung out for sure.
But he had a dollar for a burger. 
He said "thank you, God bless you kids."
Jack stood there for a moment, I don't know for sure his thoughts.
But they were monumental.
He walked away from the man, smiling, while on the verge of crying.
Ella asked Jack, "do you feel good now, you helped someone today?"
"yes."
He was thinking, and walking, smiling, thinking.
I hope he never forgets this visit we made.  That sometimes the intention of a visit might be to see the Declaration of Independence and home of Betsy Ross.  But we learned about giving, generosity, and most of all...
taking a second look at someones sign, reading it, and answering the call for help.
A lesson well learned young son, and God Bless America.



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