Friends

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, 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 others 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 a mystery.

Today is a gift.

It's National Friendship Week. Show your friends how much you care. Send this to everyone you consider a FRIEND.

[audiogooroo]

Very nice!
Thanks man.

[blowndodge]

This has gone around the internet since the year 2000 and was shot down by urban legend as a false story.

[basco]

Well I heard that it was BD walking home and Nico stopped to help him and thats how they became friends but I think Nico was walking home from reform school ::)

[blowndodge]

He was and I took pity on him knowing someday he'd wreck his Nomad!!!!

http://www.snopes.com/glurge/kyle.asp

I don't care if it's totally true or not...it does show how one simple act of kindness can change someone elses life forever...and I believe that is true

[blowndodge]

yes women usually don't care about the truth! But I agree on the message...

yes women usually don't care about the truth!

I had a feeling it was fake. Still thought it was a good message though :)

[audiogooroo]

I never once considered it might be a true story....just a well written piece of fiction with a powerful message...that I agree with.

[blowndodge]

Nico's had a lot of experience with well written piece's of fiction. Or was that friction? Lets ask SWB!!!

[trip]

Nice story, Wolfy. I read it several years ago and at first thought it was true, but since found it isn't. That's OK, because it does express the power of a simple action. We all possess that power, it's just we must choose to recognize and use it.

I, for one, am guilty of not using that power enough.

[socwkbiker]

Typical BD, always has his mind in the gutter. Funny thing is there are a lot of us, I mean, them down there. lol

It is a very good story WM, I'm glad you put it on here.

Next thing I'm gonna hear form you heathens is that the parables in the Bible aren't true either!@!!!!!

[basco]

Next thing I'm gonna hear form you heathens is that the parables in the Bible aren't true either!@!!!!!

Parables go in the refrigerator so they dont spoil duh!!!