Topic: One little action changes lives
Dragoness's photo
Wed 12/05/07 07:34 AM

I received this in my mail and it made me cry, thought I would share:


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 friends 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 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 ha d 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 some of his books

He turned out to be a pretty cool kid.

I asked him if he wanted to play a little football with my friends

He said yes.

We hung out 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, 'Boy, you are gonnareally 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 I had 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.

Puffins1958's photo
Wed 12/05/07 07:41 AM
I must be in a mood or something......

:cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:

Thunderella's photo
Wed 12/05/07 07:43 AM
I've read this before, with same results, I cried also..It leaves you speechless....It's a very emotional story...

Winx's photo
Wed 12/05/07 07:43 AM
That gave me goosebumps.

Stlstylist's photo
Wed 12/05/07 07:53 AM
oh my goodness cry fest over here.. im at work literally balling right now!! sad

no photo
Wed 12/05/07 07:53 AM
:smile: :smile: NOW THAT WAS A GREAT POST!!bigsmile bigsmile We all need to understand,That even the smallest action can cause the biggest reaction.WAY TO GO!!!bigsmile bigsmile

rara777's photo
Wed 12/05/07 07:54 AM
This story proves that people come into your life for a reason. That is why we are to treat people the way we want to be treated. When Jesus walked the earth, He was looking for the downtrodden, the people that others rejected, the misfits. What did Jesus do for them,He Loved them. It is the same thing that he commands us to do. Show compassion,understanding and God`s eternal Love toward others . Let your Light so shine.

rockman888's photo
Wed 12/05/07 07:55 AM
:cry: lets us all know even though we r communicating through a machine..the part that types does feel...

no photo
Wed 12/05/07 07:58 AM
AMEN!!!

nuenjins's photo
Wed 12/05/07 08:00 AM
Do any guys cry here besides me?frown That was absolutely beautiful.flowerforyou I just hope it was a true story.laugh

nuenjins's photo
Wed 12/05/07 08:02 AM
Edited by nuenjins on Wed 12/05/07 08:02 AM
That absolutely made my day. Thank you dragoness.happy :wink:

no photo
Wed 12/05/07 08:03 AM
Edited by Unknow on Wed 12/05/07 08:04 AM
I read this a couple of years ago...

now it makes me ponder who on this exact site might be feeling like that... and who will be the one to reach out, and begin with a kind word or two.:heart:

Dragoness's photo
Wed 12/05/07 08:10 AM
thanks guys, glad you enjoyed it.flowerforyou It does bring some things home:cry:

wildsideof35's photo
Wed 12/05/07 08:20 AM
That puts everything in to perspective......we all need to be friends and get along with each other. We never know when one might be down at their lowest point and do the unthinkable!!!:cry: