What We Do Can Really Make A Difference

Sometimes the smallest act of kindness has a lifelong impact.  Ron told me a story many years ago that he, nor I, have ever forgotten.  This story was told to me about 40 years after the actual event took place.

Ron went to a small, private high school.  As with all high schools, most people wanted to be part of the "in" crowd.  I don't know if Ron was part of that crowd, but he was quite popular.  He had a party to celebrate his Confirmation from Sunday School at age 15.  One of his friends was a boy who was NOT popular, but Ron liked him and wanted to invite him to the party.  He was rarely invited to anything.  At the time, Ron looked at this as no big deal.  Fast forward 40 years, and Ron's small class of 90+ students was celebrating their 45th year since graduation.  Ron saw this man for the first time in many years, and as so often happens at these reunions, people start talking about the past and telling stories about high school.  This man told Ron that being invited to his Confirmation party was one of the nicest things that had happened to him in high school, and he has never forgotten it.  To Ron it was just another guy from class coming to his party, but to this young man, who  had few friends, it meant the world.

The point of this story is that so many of the things we do have have a huge impact on others, good or bad, and we may never know about it. 

I think about my son David, and a little special needs girl that he befriended when he was in the 3rd grade.  She was in our carpool (there were 4 children in all), but he took it upon himself to carry her books, help her in and out of the car, and make sure she got up the steps to her house in the afternoon.  He was like a mother hen.  I don't know if he even knows how unusual  his acts were.  I don't know if the girl ever thinks about this either.  But I do know that the 4 mothers who drove the carpool were impressed by his acts then, and I imagine still think  about how he made a difference to this young girl.

We all have stories of acts of kindness that have been done by us or to us, but the recipient of the kind act rarely has a chance to say thank you.  It is usually not until years later that the person realizes what was done for him.  It's so important to let people know that you appreciate them.  It makes them feel good, and you too.