> > 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.
> >
> > 'Friends are angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly.'
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > There is no beginning or end..

> >
> > Send this to everyone you consider a FRIEND.
> >
> > If it comes back to you, then you'll know you have a circle of friends