Topic

The Story of Kyle (A grad speech)

(NOT MY STORY lol)The Story of Kyle

One day, when I was a freshman in high school, I saw a kid from my class 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, and as he crawled around looking for his glasses, 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, but we talked all the way home, and I carried his books.

He turned out to be a pretty cool kid. I asked him if he wanted to play football on Saturday with me and 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.

On 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 me 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 its depth.

Never underestimate the power of your actions. With one small gesture, you can change a person’s life.Linky-do 

Posted 14 months ago by Rook Subscriber! | Permalink

Replies

  • *tears in eyes*  Yes ARK's exist outside this game.  Whenever and where ever you can do something for someone else will always be, without fail, a positive. The incredible thing about it too the fall out is a wonderful gift too. This is a wonderful story and thank you for sharing it :_D
    Posted 14 months ago by Really Pissed Off Subscriber! | Permalink
  • * tears in her eyes as well* Thank you so much for sharing this! This is a very beautiful, wonderful and overwhelming story of how one kind, loving, giving and gracious act can change or save lives... improving your life as well.

    I hope many think that instead of doing something cruel, do something good instead.
    Posted 14 months ago by Casombra Amberrose Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I think strangers are so much better at being able to change your mood than friends. I mean at least to being with, small things strangers do can make you some good friends.

    Why just last night a complete stranger helped to completely change my mood!

    It's hard to get past self-destructive ideas when you're in a certain mind set. Sort of hard to imagine that anyone would understand or even care. But the fact is depression is really quite common, and there are so many people going through the same things you might be going through, or have in the past, and be able to help you deal. I think there's a shame factor too. In letting people in on what's going on you think that they'll just think you're pathetic, like you think of yourself.

    Here's a great site, depression chat rooms and forums. Really nice people.
    http://www.depression-chat-rooms.org/depression-chat.htm

    Losing my uncle to suicide in the middle of the year has certainly been an eye opener. Seeing and feeling the effects of his actions, certainly dissuades you from following the same path. It definitely cuts a lot deeper than having lost family to natural causes.
    Posted 14 months ago by Jeff Buckley Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Sorry to hear man.Thanks for the link and some truth.
    Posted 14 months ago by Rook Subscriber! | Permalink
  • *lady

    I really should stop using dude names, so misleading! haha
    Posted 14 months ago by Jeff Buckley Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Rook,

    Thank you

    I lost a cousin several years ago and a friend coming up on a year, to suicide. I have had my dark moments of serious contemplation. What stopped me was the pain I felt after experiencing the loss of the two I mentioned. Every choice and action we make can affect everyone around us and everyone around them. So please smile and be kind, show love to yourself and to others.
    Posted 14 months ago by Rev. Lightbringer Subscriber! | Permalink
  • thank you so much for sharing!
    Posted 14 months ago by megan76 Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Thanks Rev :)
    Posted 14 months ago by Jeff Buckley Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I'm glad we became good friends :D
    Posted 14 months ago by Rook Subscriber! | Permalink
  • cute!
    Posted 14 months ago by Jeff Buckley Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I hope you weren't trying to pass this off as something that happened to you Rook.   It's an old forwarded email that was plagiarized from "Chicken Soup for the Soul."

    Cute story none-the-less.
    Posted 14 months ago by Vicereine Linnæa Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I wasn't... I  even left the link below.
    Posted 14 months ago by Rook Subscriber! | Permalink
  • The link doesn't go anywhere relevant.  No biggie.
    Posted 14 months ago by Vicereine Linnæa Subscriber! | Permalink
  • okey dokey, it was just from a blogger who reblogged it from somewhere from a person who ... lol. WELL, thanks for not treating it like a big issue, I appreciated that :D
    Posted 14 months ago by Rook Subscriber! | Permalink
  • oh an the link is broken xD
    Posted 14 months ago by Rook Subscriber! | Permalink
  • www.snopes.com/glurge/kyle.asp
    Posted 13 months ago by Mr. Dawgg Subscriber! | Permalink
  • tyvm, some stuff didn't make sense for a reason...
    Posted 13 months ago by Rook Subscriber! | Permalink