BACK
One day, when I was a freshman in high school, I saw a >> > > > > kid from my class was walking home from school. His >> > > > > name was Kyle. It looked like he was carrying all of >> > > > > his books. I thought to myself, "Why would anyone >> > > > > bring home all his books on a Friday? He must really >> > > > > be a nerd." I had quite a weekend planned (parties >> > > > > and a football game with my friend tomorrow afternoon), >> > > > > so I shrugged my shoulders and went on. >> > > > > >> > > > > As I was walking, I saw a bunch of kids running >> > > > > toward him. They ran at him, knocking all his books >> > > > > out of his arms and tripping him so he landed in the >> > > > > dirt. His glasses went flying, and I saw them land in >> > > > > the grass about ten feet from him. He looked up and I >> > > > > saw this terrible sadness in his eyes. My heart went >> > > > > out to him. So, I jogged over to him and as he crawled >> > > > > around looking for his glasses, and I saw a tear in his eye. >> > > > > >> > > > > As I handed him his glasses, I said, "Those guys are >> > > > > jerks. They really should get lives." He looked at >> > > > > me and said, "Hey thanks!" There was a big smile on >> > > > > his face. It was one of those smiles that showed real >> > > > > gratitude. I helped him pick up his books, and asked >> > > > > him where he lived. As it turned out, he lived near >> > > > > me, so I asked him why I had never seen him before. >> > > > > He said he had gone to private school before now. I >> > > > > would have never hung out with a private school kid >> > > > > before. We talked all the way home, and I carried >> > > > > his books. He turned out to be a pretty cool kid. I >> > > > > asked him if he wanted to play football on Saturday >> > > > > with me and my friends. He said yes. >> > > > > We hung all weekend and the more I got to know Kyle, >> > > > > the more I liked him. And my friends thought the same >> > > > > of him. >> > > > > >> > > > > Monday morning came, and there was Kyle with the huge >> > > > > stack of books again. I stopped him and said, "Damn >> > > > > boy, you are gonna really build some serious muscles >> > > > > with this pile of books everyday!" >> > > > > He just laughed and handed me half the books. >> > > > > >> > > > > Over the next four years, Kyle and I became best >> > > > > friends. When we were seniors, we began to think >> > > > > about college. Kyle decided on Georgetown, and I was >> > > > > going to Duke. I knew that we would always be >> > > > > friends, that the miles would never be a problem. He >> > > > > was going to be a doctor, and I was going for business >> > > > > on a football scholarship. Kyle was valedictorian of >> > > > > our class. I teased him all the time about being a >> > > > > nerd. He had to prepare a speech for graduation. I >> > > > > was so glad it wasn't me having to get up there and >> > > > > speak. >> > > > > >> > > > > Graduation day, I saw Kyle. He looked great. He was >> > > > > one of those guys that really found himself during >> > > > > high school. He filled out and actually looked good >> > > > > in glasses. He had more dates than me and all the >> > > > > girls loved him! Boy, sometimes I was jealous. Today >> > > > > was one of those days. I could see that he was >> > > > > nervous about his speech. So, I smacked him on the back >> > > > > and said, "Hey, big guy, you'll be great!" He looked >> > > > > at me with one of those looks (the really grateful >> > > > > one) and smiled. "Thanks," he said. As he started >> > > > > his speech, he cleared his throat, and began. >> > > > > >> > > > > "Graduation is a time to thank those who helped you >> > > > > make it through those tough years. Your parents, your >> > > > > teachers, your siblings, maybe a coach... but mostly >> > > > > your friends. I am here to tell all of you that being >> > > > > a friend to someone is the best gift you can give >> > > > > them. I am going to tell you a story." >> > > > > I just looked at my friend with disbelief >> > > > > as he told the story of the first day we met. He had >> > > > > planned to kill himself over the weekend. He talked >> > > > > of how he had cleaned out his locker so his Mom >> > > > > wouldn't have to do it later and was carrying his >> > > > > stuff home. He looked hard at me and >> > > > > gave me a little smile. "Thankfully, I was saved. My >> > > > > friend saved me from doing the unspeakable." >> > > > > >> > > > > I heard the gasp go through the crowd as this >> > > > > handsome, popular boy told us all about his weakest >> > > > > moment. I saw his Mom and dad looking at me and >> > > > > smiling that same grateful smile. Not until that >> > > > > moment did I realize it's depth. Never underestimate >> > > > > the power of your actions. >> > > > > >> > > > > With one small gesture you can change a person's >> > > > > life. For better or for worse. God puts us all in >> > > > > each other's lives to impact one another in some way. >> > > > > Look for God in others.
