| I Think I Might Have Made A Difference |
Something rather interesting happened to me yesterday. First of all, some background:
There was a boy back in 7th grade that liked me a lot and we talked occasionally. I really didn't like him that way, plus he was really into drugs, even at that young age. He called a lot and we just talked and I'd casually remark that drugs were bad and that he should quit smoking and drinking. Apparently he talked about me so much that his brother wanted to date me and called me frequently. This went on for a couple of years, through 7th and 8th grades, then he stopped. I assume this was because he got even more into drugs and alcohol and etc. He ended up on probation for stealing some cars and got kicked out of school. He's not allowed to come back. Anyway, last night he gives me a call. My mom answered and had no idea who it was because he sounded coompletely different from any other time she had spoken with him. When I took the phone and told me who he was, I was shocked. He didn't slur his words and his voice wasn't gravely a lot. He said that he had been working up the nerve to call me for a while. He told me that he had stopped doing drugs and drinking and smoking. He'd stared going to a church that some guy started for kids like him. He's behaving really well so he can possibly get off probation early. He's even going to sign up to go to the alternative school. He said that the whole change in attidude was inspired by me because I had always urged him to change and basically just gave a damn, for lack of better words. He said that he was sorry for bothering me before and that he just wanted to appologize for being a turd and to thank me for caring. I was just shocked. To think that just being nice and showing concern can influence and help someone so much. What seemed like common courtesy to me was life changing for him. I can't believe that I touched him so much just by being kind. Something so small to me meant so much to him. It makes me glad that I try to be nice and polite to everyone. People sometimes are not nice even when you try to be, and this makes it worth it...I made a difference just being myself. It's very gratifying. I'm so happy for him!
|
