One day, when Joe was a freshman in high school, he saw a kid from his class was walking home from school. His name was Kyle. It looked like he was carrying all of his books. Joe thought to himself, "Why would anyone bring home all his books on a Friday? He must really be a nerd." Joe had quite a weekend planned (parties and a football game with his friends tomorrow afternoon), so he shrugged his shoulders and went on.

As Joe was walking, he saw a bunch of kids running toward Kyle. They knocked all his books out of his arms and tripped him so he landed in the dirt. His glasses went flying, and Joe saw them land in the grass about ten feet from him. As Kyle looked up, Joe saw this terrible sadness in his eyes. His heart went out to him. So, he jogged over to him and as Kyle crawled around looking for his glasses, Joe saw a tear in his eye.

As Joe handed him his glasses, he said, "Those guys are jerks. They really should get lives." Kyle looked at Joe and said, "Hey thanks!" There was a big smile on his face. It was one of those smiles that showed real gratitude. Joe helped him pick up his books, and asked him where he lived. As it turned out, he lived near Joe, so Joe asked him why he had never seen him before. Kyle said he had gone to private schools before now. Joe would have never hung out with a private school kid before.

They talked all the way home, and Joe carried some of his Kyle's books for him. Kyle turned out to be a pretty cool kid. Joe asked him if he wanted to play a little football with his friends. Kyle said yes. They hung out all weekend and the more Joe got to know Kyle, the more he liked him, and his friends thought the same of him. Monday morning came, and there was Kyle with the huge stack of books again. Joe stopped him and said, "Boy, you are gonna really build some serious muscles with this pile of books everyday!" Kyle just laughed and handed Joe half the books.

Over the next four years, Kyle and Joe became best friends. When they were seniors, they began to think about college. Kyle decided on Georgetown, and Joe was going to Duke. Joe knew that they would always be friends, that the miles would never be a problem. Kyle was going to be a doctor, and Joe was going for business on a football scholarship. Kyle was valedictorian of their class. Joe teased him all the time about being a nerd.

Kyle had to prepare a speech for graduation. Joe was so glad it wasn't him having to get up there and speak. Graduation day, he 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 Joe had, and all the girls loved him.

Joe could see that Kyle was nervous about, his speech. So, Joe smacked him on the back and said, "Hey, big guy, you'll be great!" Kyle looked at him with one of those looks (the really grateful one) and smiled. "Thanks," he said.

As he started his speech, Kyle 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."

Joe just looked at his friend with disbelief as he told the story of the first day they 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 Joe and gave him a little smile. "Thankfully, I was saved. My friend saved me from doing the unspeakable."

Joe heard the gasp go through the crowd as this handsome, popular boy told them all about his weakest moment. Joe saw Kyle's mom and dad looking at him and smiling that same grateful smile. Not until that moment did Joe 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.