Hi all,

 

I got this story from a friend in my hometown in Flanders and translated it best I could. It is a wonderful uplifting story and I sincerely hope you can find some time to read it because it will make you think and hopefully act.

 

Patrick

This happened when I was in first year in secondary. I was on my way home when I noticed another kid walking home carrying all his school books. Kyle was his name; he was new to the school. I wondered why he was carrying all his books home and thought to myself: ‘probably one of those nerds!’

 

I had a busy weekend ahead, family party on Saturday and soccer on Sunday, so I shrugged my shoulders and walked on. All of a sudden a group of other kids came running down the road, slapped the books out of Kyle’s hands and pushed him to the ground. His glasses were knocked of his face. When he looked up, there was a very sad look etched in his face. I felt pity for him and walked over to him and helped him gather his books and glasses. A tear was visible on his face. ‘As if those boys have nothing better to do’, was all I could think of saying.

 

He looked at me and said, ‘Thanks so much’. He smiled. This smile was one of real gratitude. I asked him where he lived. As it happened he had moved in near our house. He used to go to private schools until now. These were the kind of people I would normally look down on, I thought. We talked the whole way back to our estate while I helped carry his books. I asked him over to the game on Sunday and he said he would. He came to the game and I got to now him a lot better over the weekend. He was a really nice guy and I really liked him. So did my friends.

 

On Monday Kyle was walking home again carrying all his books. I said to him he was going to be really muscular one day if he kept carrying them home every day. He smiled and handed me half the books.

 

Five years passed by. Kyle and I became real best buddies. We were talking about further studies, he was going to Antwerp and I was going to Lokeren. I knew that we were friends for life, no matter were we went on to go. Kyle wanted to become a doctor and I wanted to be a professional soccer player, studying was not for me I’m afraid.

 

After our final exams Kyle was to give the speech at the graduation ceremony. I teased him saying what a nerd he was, even though I knew I wouldn’t have the nerves standing on that stage and giving a speech.

I met Kyle the day of the ceremony because we would walk to the school together. He looked really well, even with the glasses. It was one of those days that he radiated happiness, which actually got him more dates than me, I thought jealously. Behind the smile was a nervous boy so I gave him a hug and wished him luck with the speech. There was that grateful look again while he said: ‘Thanks’

 

There he was on the podium ready to give his speech. He cleared his throat and said:

 

‘The graduation ceremony is a time to say thanks to all the people that helped you through some though times. Your parents, brothers, sisters, family…but most importantly your friends!!

 

I stand here before you to say that the most important thing anyone can have is a good friend. I stand here before you to say that there is nothing more beautiful in life than to mean something to someone else. Allow me to tell you a story.’

 

I couldn’t belief my ears when I heard Kyle talk about our first encounter. He wanted to commit suicide that week. He said he had emptied his locker to save his mother from having to come to the school and collect them after his death. Kyle looked directly at me with that familiar grateful smile and said: ‘Thank God I am still alive today’. You could sense the emotion in the room.

 

Only then did I realise what I had meant to Kyle.

 

Never underestimate the power of a single act. With the smallest of gestures you can change someone’s life. Somehow all of us are always interconnected!!

 

Make that gesture purposefully and enhance your life and that of others around you!!

 

And have a great day!! You deserve it!!