I'm making this a topic, because something happened recently that didn't effect me in any way, but touched my life forever. It didn't involve me, or any of my friends. It happened to a guy I'd seen in the halls, but it was an act of kindness I'll never forget.

On Saturday, October 16, 2004 I was on a trip with my highschool band. It was about eleven P.M. and we would watch one more band compete (a college band, UNH) before we could go home. They marched onto the fied, but one drummer stayed back. Walking up to the stands for the bands, with ours the only band insane enough to stay out that late, he called out, "I need a drummer." I was in the front row and shouted it back, and our lead drummer stood. He was tossed something, then the guy ran onto the field. He read it, with some of us reading it over his shoulder.

It was a drumstick with blue ends and a blue handkerchief wrapped around it to hold on a note. In May 2002 the guy who owned that stick died of cancer. He was funny, kind, and loved to play his instrument. After he died, his whole band wore a blue handkerchief under their uniforms to remember him by. They gave away one of his drumsticks last year, one this year, with the request to make sure that this guy, Jay, would never be forgotten.

It's one thing I'll never forget. It was an act of kindness, of friendship, that will never be known to the world, but will live on in the hearts of everyone who saw it, even though it has nothing to do with us.

So, tell me, what's one thing that didn't happen to you, but you'll never forget? Or did happen to you, but you'll remember always?

My freshman year of college was pretty rough. I was far away from all of my friends and family, I was struggling academically, I wasn't meeting any people who I liked and wanted to be friends with, I was having some medical problems, and on top of all that, my roommate was awful.

My roommate was very cold towards me. She stole my food,and other small things like hair clips and make up. She would use my hairbrush, shampoo, and deodorant without asking. She even posted a poem about me being bulimic on the internet, just because she was jealous of me. She always gave me an attitude whenever I was around. She just made me feel like an intruder in my own room.

I was already depressed about some things before I came to school (someone very close to me passed away during my senior year of high school), and I was only getting worse. I was lonely, anxious, and constantly lethargic. I had always been the kind of girl who put effort into dressing well and having my hair, make up, and nails looking neat and polished. This changed once I got to school. I would just role out of bed, throw on sweats, and trudge off to class. I didn't have the energy to put any effort into my appearance. I just didn't care about anything at all anymore. I was skipping class and sleeping for most of the day. Every morning when I woke up I had a feeling of dread. I was so miserable. I started self abusing to release some of the pain I was feeling.

Someone who I had become flightly friendly with introduced me to her male friend. He was really nice to me, and he asked me if I would be his girlfriend. I told him I would love to go out with him, even though I didn't know why anyone would want to date some basketcase like me. We are still together, and I feel like I can talk to him about anything. He treats me better than anyone else has in my entire life. We have an indescribable connection.

Back when we first started dating, I at first tried to hide some of the problems I was having from him. Within a few weeks I told him the truth about what I was going through. I expected him to run at that point, but he was very compassionate. He talked with me about the problems I was having and he was very understanding.

A couple of weeks after I told him about everything that was going on with me, he invited me to stay over at his house(he had already stayed over at my dorm at this point), and meet his family.

His family was very kind to me. I had only planned to stay for the night, but I ended staying at his house for the whole weekend. Before I left to go back to school, my boyfriend's uncle said something that really touched me. He told me that I was always welcome in his house, and I could come over anytime I want, and stay for as long as I want.

At a time when I felt like I wasn't welcome in my own room, a man who I had never met before made me feel welcome in his home. I'll never forget what my boyfriend's uncle said to me that day, and I still feel feel grateful to him for showing me so much kindness when I really needed it.

It is something I did that touched me... One day last year in the 8th grade, we were headed to a field trip...It was all the honor students, and my best friend was to go to another bus (there was two). We were headed to the museum of tolerance. As we were sitting in the bus, i had to choose between sitting with one of my friends or the other, because they were in an argument...I sat with none of them, well a row in between.

Then I saw this one girl I always sa hi to. Let's just say that she isn't the type of girl that the most popular girl would want to hang out with, let alone, be seen with. Well I made a decision that could probably affect my reputation....

At the bus I went to, half of it was filled with popular kids. I myself amd normal...i am not popular, and i am not a loner...I just know peopl and people know me.....

I saw the girl sitting alone, and I didn't want her to, because I wanted her to enjoy the field trip, and I , well my plans were ruined. I thought about it for a while and got the courage to ask her if she wanted to sit next to me.

Apparently, the two friends that were sitting behind me didn't hear me ask her. So when she sat next to me, they gave me a weird face. You see, one of them or shall i say both of them, care about what others think...

I give them a "what" expression, and tell them I asked her.

So I was jude somewhat by my friends, and the situation was bugging me along the way.....but the smile on the girls face, i'll never forget...

Once the well enjoyed field trip was over, and we were ready to go, we entered the bus....

To be honest, I wasn't too sure if I wanted the girl to sit next to me. I guess I was also scared of judgement, peer pressure...etc..

And, she did, and I didn't say anything, I just kept to myself.....

Well when the school year was over I made this autograph book where people can write to me, because it is a tradition i do and i was going to a different high school

Well in there, the girl told me that I was one of the few who noticed her, and to never change, thank you, and she hopes to see me at the bell high....

It was then that I knew that I did something right, something I was proud of. Something that I'd do over and over again...Because everyone deserves a chance, and I am glad that I gave it to her....

i got this from an inspirational book...

Kindness & Love

Kindness provides a house, but Love makes a home.
Kindness packs an adequate sack lunch, but Love puts a note of encouragement inside.
Kindness provides a television set or computer as a learning aid but Love controls the remote control and cares enough to insist a child to “sign off”
Kindness sends a child to bed on time, but Love tucks the covers around a child’s neck and provides a goodnight hug and kiss
Kindness cooks a meal, but Love selects the “your favorite foods” menu and lights the candles
Kindness writes a than-you note, but Love thinks to include a joke, photograph, or bookmark inside the envelope.
Kindness keeps a clean and tidy house, but Love adds a bouquet of fresh flowers.
Kindness pors a glass of milk, but Love occasionally adds a little chocolate sauce.
Kindness is doing what is decent, basic, courteous and necessary for an even, smooth, and gentle flow of life.
Love is taking the extra step to make life truly exciting, creative and meaningful. Love is what makes things special.

I play Junior Varsity volleyball at my high school. We dress up when we travel to other schools to play. I'm not a real girly-girl, so I owned one skirt. After wearing it twice, some of the other girls started jokes about me. Two of the girls, that happened to come off mean, went out and bought me two skirts and two shirts. I had to talk to our coach (she works as a guidance counselor at the school) about leaving early. She told me to wait, and went off and got the girls. They brought in a bright pink checkered bag. I wil never forget how nice that was. They said they only spent $15 dollars, but the tags added up to $40.

Never forget how precious life really is.
~Karen, 14

The Beslan school siege. I went there, a little after it happened. Enough said.