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 ha d 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.