This is one of my favorite stories of all time. So whether you have read it before, or you are seeing it for the first time....it's a very simple reminder of how words can be damaging, and how the things you say, especially at the time you say them could have effects beyond your imagination. So always try to be kind, not cruel....no one knows what is going on behind the scenes sometimes. Could you live with reprocustions of your words having a negative effect such as this story started out to be? I for one...could not.


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.

Great story to share. I think it has a very valuable message.

I think I read this some time ago, but enjoyed re-reading it. Thank you for posting this! We need to all remember this and re-read it from time to time.

Happy Baking!

THANK YOU for posting this. The spoken (and written) word is a powerful thing.

You know, I just love this story...and we are all human beings that could use a little reminder from time to time on how much of an effect we can have on people ( sometimes without even knowing it ). At least I know I can, it keeps me grounded and my heart kind and open enough to accept the mistakes and faults of the people around me, I can only hope the same kindness is extended to me in return. I do hope everyone remembers that dispite all of the recent problems and bickering that we are all here for essentially (my spelling sucks BTW ) the same reason...our love of baking and cake/cookie decorating...chocolate making, and those increditably talented sugar work people ( I'm not JEALOUS or anything )

Just my two cents, well maybe more like two dollars or so ( my first post was pretty long )

Everyone take care,
Jenn

Thanks for posting this! I try to live the motto of be nice to everyone because everyone you see is going through a personal battle. I'm human though so sometimes I forget, but I do try. I'm going to copy and save this as a reminder.

I've heard this story a number of times, and it always makes me cry!

All of us have our "George Bailey" moments in our lifetime, and some are actually fortunate enough to know about them. We impact so many people in so many ways and we usually have no idea that we have.

Pay it forward when you can.

Yeah Ive read this story before, but it was nice re-reading it.
It shows how strong words can have an impact on people when we could never think it does.

Thank you for sharing this!!
it realy is true, and we all need to be reminded, sometimes more often than not!!

i too am gonna copy this and put it up somewhere to remember -

thank you!