Stories of Kindness from Around the World

I had moved to Arizona about two weeks before the start of my junior year of high school, so not only was this  a new school for me, but also a new state and I did not know anyone.

On the first day of school at lunch after getting my meal, I sat down at an empty table in the courtyard. As I began to eat I looked around at the other tables and saw another girl sitting alone, so I decided why not go sit with her. Anyway there was no reason for me to have a whole table to myself, and who knew maybe I could make a friend. I walked to verify and said, "Excuse me, do you mind if I sit with you?" She was surprised at first, but then smiled and said "Sure!"

We hit it off right off the bat and became close friends throughout the next two years.Towards the end of our senior year she told me that she'd been accepted to an out of state college and would be moving away after graduation. I was sad that I would miss her but at the same time was really happy for her.

She then shared with me something very moving. "Do you remember the first day of school when you came over and sat down with me during lunch?" she asked. "Of course! why do you ask?" I replied. She continued, "I want to let you know how special you are and that you make a difference.

I was severely depressed that day, to the point that I had made detailed plans on how I was going to kill myself after I get home. I had been bullied the whole first half of the day and it had just broken me down. But when you reached out to me in a kind way, even though you didn't know me, it rocked me to my core. If you hadn't done that I would have probably killed myself when I got home from school, and I say that with all certainty. It might be hard to believe but you saved my life, and all it took was being a friend."

It has been almost 15 years since this incident, I still chat with her occasionally on Facebook and I can't help but smile every time. It showed me that a simple kind act has the extraordinary ability to change lives.