Monday 30 May 2011

GBE2 - 002 Success (Blog 1) - Kyle's Story


Success

'Kyle's Story' is a true story that I heard about from a friend on Myspace quite a few years ago. When the new GBE2 topic was posted, I just had to search through my old myspace blog and share it again.

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 Kent. 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 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 that 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.

Tomorrow is a mystery.
Today is a gift.

12 comments:

  1. This is so beautiful and made me cry!

    Truthfully, we never know what another person is going through...and judging another for some superficial reason can cause us to lose out on a great deal.

    Beautiful blog that will stay with me!

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  2. This is a great post...and a story I've read before. Thanks for sharing, Cheers, Jenn.

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  3. I remember this story, Ian. Thanks for sharing it again. ♥

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  4. I remember reading this story too. Thanks for sharing it.

    ~Theresa Wiza~
    writingcreatively.org

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  5. I'm glad you all liked it. It raised some tears when I first read it years ago, and did so again when I reread it again yesterday

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  6. I've had this story come to me in email so many times, but it never gets old and always makes me cry. Thanks for sharing it again,Ian.*wanders off to find a tissue*

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  7. Oh my goodness! I have tears in my eyes! That was such a wonderful post!! Such a great story, thanks for sharing. Our lives really are all connected, and I have to admit anyone that takes the time to read what I write, and comment, makes my day so much better. Loved it! Thanks for sharing it!

    Kathy
    http://www.thetruckerswife.com/

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  8. Great story, thanks for sharing.

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  9. I LOVE this story! I think stories like this should be required reading for all school children.

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  10. I've read that story before and LOVE it, thanks for posting it.

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  11. I've heard this story before, but it still makes me cry even though I've discovered that it's not true. :( It's still a great story! Thanks for sharing.

    I'm lucky #13

    Joyce
    http://joycelansky.blogspot.com/2011/05/acrostic-success_31.html

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  12. I loved this story! You're so right. A simple smile can lift someone up. Your compassion saved someone's life. That's awesome!

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