So
I shrugged my shoulders and went on
>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 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 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 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 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.
>
>God puts us all in each other's lives to impact one another in some
>way. Look for God in others.>