08-21-2003, 06:18 AM | #1 |
Jack Burton
Join Date: March 21, 2001
Location: Philippines, but now Harbor City Sydney
Age: 41
Posts: 5,556
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As usual, I got this from the email, thought i wanted to share it to you guys. enjoy!
------------------------------------------------------- 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 f! riends 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 other's lives to impact one another in some way. Look for God in others. ------------------------------------------ note from me: its for all kinds of religion, Your God my God any God or No God, your involuntary actions may indeed help others. I learned that long ago.
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08-21-2003, 06:39 AM | #2 |
Ironworks Moderator
Join Date: June 27, 2001
Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Age: 43
Posts: 6,763
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It's a nice story. We should be reminded of things like that more often.
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08-21-2003, 09:34 AM | #3 |
40th Level Warrior
Join Date: October 29, 2001
Location: Western Wilds of Michigan
Posts: 11,752
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A good heart-warming story. And it is in a Chicken Soup edition somewhere...
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08-21-2003, 02:12 PM | #4 |
Ma'at - Goddess of Truth & Justice
Join Date: March 2, 2001
Location: Birmingham, Alabama, USA
Age: 70
Posts: 3,255
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Wow! I think I may have heard it before, but WOW! That person was lucky to really know how he had impacted Kyle's life. Alot of us never do, but that doesn't mean we don't. Usually, it never hurts to be kind to someone. The lesson in that story is one we could all take to heart.
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08-21-2003, 07:28 PM | #5 |
Ma'at - Goddess of Truth & Justice
Join Date: September 5, 2001
Location: House of Freelight
Age: 47
Posts: 3,159
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I know that I've a horribly stressful day ahead of me at work, but this story has just reminded me again of the more important things in life.
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08-21-2003, 09:18 PM | #6 |
Dracolisk
Join Date: November 1, 2002
Location: Australia ..... G\'day!
Posts: 6,123
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I've had this Email myself. But it's all the better for reading twice, and you don't have to be religous to apreciate it.
Nice post Harkoliar [img]smile.gif[/img]
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08-21-2003, 09:49 PM | #7 |
Ironworks Atomic Moderator
Join Date: January 7, 2001
Location: Virginia, U.S.A.
Age: 57
Posts: 9,005
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Oh I really liked that story! Thanks for that Hark [img]smile.gif[/img]
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08-21-2003, 09:57 PM | #8 |
Unicorn
Join Date: May 14, 2002
Location: Oklahoma, USA
Age: 33
Posts: 4,238
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That was a truly touching story. I sent it to several of my friends, telling them to send it to their friends.
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08-21-2003, 10:29 PM | #9 |
Iron Throne Cult
Join Date: January 2, 2003
Location: Big Castle in the Sky
Age: 37
Posts: 4,835
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Wow, this story really makes you think doesn't it?
It's good to have friends [img]smile.gif[/img] |
08-22-2003, 12:12 AM | #10 |
Jack Burton
Join Date: March 21, 2001
Location: Philippines, but now Harbor City Sydney
Age: 41
Posts: 5,556
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thanks for the replies. its really nice just to share it with everyone. and to hear your own personal opinions as well. cheers!
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