a little story

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> > > > > 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 . > > > > > 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 , the more I > > > liked him, and my friends thought the same of him. > > > > > Monday morning came, and there was 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, and I became best friends. > > > > > When we were seniors, we began to think > > about college. > > > > > decided on town, 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. > > > > > 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 . > > > > > 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. > > > > > You now have two choices, you can: > > > > > 1) Pass this on to your friends or > > > > > 2) Delete it and act like it didn't touch your heart. > > > > > As you can see, I took choice number 1. > > "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. > > > > > It's National Friendship Week. Show your friends how much you care. >

Be good to yourself,LizSome day's you're the dog, and some days you're the hydrantAttitude determines altitude. - unknown