>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.

Natalie

nice story, it makes youthink

What a beautiful story, brought a tear to my eye

Vicki

That is a lovely story - got me sobbin'