This will impact your life!

[messenger]

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.

I saw a tear in his eye as I handed him his glasses, so 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 felt the same. Monday morning came, and there was Kyle with the huge stack of books again.

I stopped 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 and 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 and 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.

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 talked about 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 its 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 others lives to impact one another in some way.

Look around to see whose life you can impact.

[urbanfarmer]

Thank you for sharing this inspiring story. The earth needs more acts of genuine kindnesses.

It truly touched my heart. It is nice to know that there are people like you out there in this hard world.

Could I also add that our animal friends out there also need our help and kindness. I plan on donating both time and money to animal charities post RV.

[AmyM]

While this is in fact an awesome story (I have read it before and had it circulated to me in emails numerous times!!) , it belongs in the off-topic category.

At the same time...... lets never underestimate the impace we have on others - both positive and negative!! A rule to live by!

[messenger]

Thanks Urban.

With all the stress of waiting for the RV. I thought this story may help us all realize what is really important!

I hope this is who we are now - because LOTS OF MONEY doesn't make us better people...it just amplifies who we already are.

[Kenneth]

Thanks for post, I'm going to have my son read it; it really makes you think!

[tampa1000]

Great story.....

[Soldier]

Great Story. We all can learn that one good deed will lead to another. Its so easy to be nice and truthful and so hard to be mean and lie. Why can't we all figure it out before it's to late for an "I'm Sorry." Thanks for giving me some motivation to do as many good deeds today as possible.

[RNLA]

Thanks so much for a little healthy perspective. Lots of people struggling right now so I hope it lifts a lot of spirits today. Life is valuable and we are here for a reason.

[Niko]

messenger when were you at duke? I went to state

[pleasantvalleySunday]

To begin with, I love your nickname - we're all messengers in one way or another! A little tear slipping down my cheek today for someone other than myself was wonderful ... thank you for sharing this story. I would hope that part of the "message" here is, to please always stop and think about what you say or do in regard to another human being. Compassion can be taught, we learn it from examples set for us, and frankly so many egos get in the way of that lesson today, we should all be checking our own compassion quotient!

blessings to all,

pvS

[DaveH]

I have read this story several times before in e mails that were sent to me. It never matters, when I recognize the story, I read it again. Thank you for the post. I hope more people read it.

[xxxgator]

nice one ! Amen