One day, when I was a freshman in high
school, II 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 home 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.
"Friends are angels who lift us to our feet when
our wings have trouble remembering how to fly."
There is no beginning or end.. Yesterday is
history.
Tomorrow is mystery.
Today is a gift.
