January 29, 2020

I thought it was the end of the world!  After much prayer and research, my parents decided to request I repeat the fourth grade.  As I walked into my new classroom on my second “first day” of fourth grade, my stomach was filled with butterflies and anxiousness.  I met my new teacher, Mrs. Smith, and she showed me to my seat in the middle row of the classroom.

As I sat down, I began to look around the room, wondering if the other students were going to make fun of me; would I even be able to make new friends?  Thankfully, I didn’t have to wonder for long.  In just a few minutes, a blond girl walked into the room and sat in the chair in front of me.  She quickly turned around, flashed a big smile, and said, “Hi, I’m Beth.”  My fears were put away as we immediately struck up a conversation.  Now, it seems like such a small gesture, but I can assure you that at the time, it was exactly what I needed to help me feel like everything was going to be OK.

Beth Ann and I would become best buddies.  We spent hours together growing up, sharing in all of life’s ups and downs.  We attended middle school together.  We graduated high school together, and later in college, she would be my Biology lab partner!  Beth would be beside me, again, as I married.

We don’t live close, but we do stay connected (as much as our growing families’ schedules allow).  We’ve had a lot of laughs over the years and lots of tears, too.  What a blessing it has been to have Beth in my life.  Every year, when a new school year begins, I share this same story with my students in my classroom to encourage them that everyone needs a friend.  I am deeply grateful that Beth chose kindness and turned around to meet me that hot August morning, so many years ago.

We never know when sharing kindness with our neighbors can truly help to change someone’s perspective.  We have no idea what is going on inside of a person.  One small gesture makes all the difference.  It just might lead to a lifetime of laughter and friendship.

– Aimee King, St. Luke’s Member