Small acts of kindness can have big impacts

“Kyle?” I said to my best friend of over a decade, hesitation clear in my voice.

“Yes, James?” He replied.

What I wanted to say wasn’t easy, but I knew I needed to share it, and I needed to share it now. He was about to move halfway across the country for a new job. Even though I knew we’d keep in touch, just like we did when we went to separate colleges, I knew life was busy and that we wouldn’t see each other for a while. So this was my last chance to get this off my chest.

I continued somewhat hesitantly. “Do you remember how we became friends?”

He smiled. “Of course I do! When we were in sixth grade, some kids were picking on you when you were walking home from school and they knocked your books out of your hands, so I yelled at them to knock it off and then I helped pick the books up. We walked home together, and as we did we talked and realized we had a lot in common so we started hanging out.”

“Right, well ummm,” I briefly hesitated before continuing, “At that time, I had a couple of other friends, or at least I thought they were my friends at the time, but none of them ever stood up for me like you did, even though we didn’t even know each other. And that meant a lot to me.”

“No problem!” Kyle said with a smile, “I couldn’t stand seeing those jerks gang up on you.” A confused expression spread across his face as he added, “But why are you bringing this up now?”

“Well,” I nervously said, “since you are about to move, I wanted to share some details about that day that I’ve never told a soul.”

“Oh, ok. Well I’m all ears!”

“I’m sure you figured this out, but those kids picked on me a lot.”

“Ya I figured, those bullies picked on everyone!”

“Right, but it wasn’t just them. Back then, a lot of people bullied me. And even when people didn’t bully me, they didn’t accept me and they treated me like they didn’t want me around. And not just at school. Home was bad too. My parents and siblings weren’t kind to me back then, although, as you know, it’s gotten better. I felt isolated and alone, like the world didn’t want me.”

“I’m so sorry to hear that! I mean I knew you weren’t having the easiest time back then, but I never knew it was that bad! Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because I didn’t want to scare you or weird you out. Besides, once we became friends, that friendship helped me get through everything else, and even helped me make other friends.”

Kyle smiled, “Well I’m glad our friendship helped! Is that what you wanted to share?”

“Partially. But more importantly, I wanted you to know how big of an impact the simple act of you chasing those bullies away, helping me pick up my books, and walking home with me had on me that day. Even putting aside our later friendship.”

“It really wasn’t that big of a deal, I would have done that for anyone!”

I smiled, “Well, for you it wasn’t a big deal, but for me it meant the world. It showed me that people could actually care about me. It made me feel less hopeless. And, well…” I froze, scared to say the next part.

“What is it? You know you can tell me anything!”

“Those simple acts saved my life.”

“Huh?” Kyle said, clearly confused. “How?”

“Kyle,” I continued, “my life was so bad that I had decided it wasn’t worth continuing. The day I met you, I was going home to kill myself.”

A shocked look suddenly appeared on my friend’s face. I continued, “But those simple acts made me realize the world wasn’t so bad after all and that no matter what I should carry on. So I did. And I never thought about doing that ever again. So, thank you, for literally everything I have.”

Kyle stammered as he spoke. “I umm I had no idea.”

“I know. I’ve never told a soul. And I hope you don’t tell anyone. Even though it’s in the past, it’s still embarrassing for me and I don’t want people to think differently about me.”

He stood speechless for a moment then quickly hugged me. After a few moments, he released me and, as he did, he smiled. “Don’t worry!” He said, “Your secret is safe with me! And thank you for sharing, I really had no idea such a small thing for me had such a profound impact!”

“I hope this wasn’t too weird and doesn’t change anything between us, but I really wanted you to know just how much you being my friend has meant to me.”

“Hey this doesn’t change a thing!”

“Good,” I smiled.

Kyle, returning to his normal jokester self, joked, “Now let’s stop wasting time! I want to kick your ass in Halo just like the old days!”

“Kick my ass?” I smirked, “Not a chance!”

Author’s Note: This story is loosely based on a story that was told at an anti-bullying assembly I attended many years ago, I think in middle school. For some reason, this story and its message stuck with me, even after so many years. It seemed perfect for the “Small Kindness” challenge.