Let’s rewind four years to the eighth grade in the middle level of the school brown hallway of Brookfield Academy. 

I was heading down a brownish, blue hallway to my Latin class. The fishbowl modeled classroom was dead center in my sights. I made my way occasionally head nodding at someone on my way to say, “what’s up.” As I walked, around a corner to my right came along a 7th grader rushing to get to class. The shorter, and a bit undersized individual was carrying lots of school supplies. Textbooks, on top of textbooks, on top of a larger binder. As the 7th grader turned this corner, his right foot rolled over the pinky toe of the front of the foot sending these books through the air like how the smell of curry does when it is boiled. 

I walked up to the younger fellow who had short, brown hair with a few freckles spotted around his cheekbones. I said, “Hey man, let me help you.” I grabbed his right hand, casting him back up onto his feet. 

He said, “hello” back to me in a shyer voice not sure of how I was approaching him. 

I proceeded to then start grabbing his books along with him which were scattered throughout the two hallway intersection. I asked, “so what’s your name…I assume you're in 7th grade, right?” 

He quickly, and more confidently said, “Jack, and yeah (with a chuckle) I am.” 

I told him, “Let me help you carry your stuff to your class.” A photo is now stuck in my head so clearly like how a phone gets stuck in between a car seat and the middle compartment from what occurs next.

Jack smiled so greatly, portraying his white, hint of yellowish tinted teeth, and he told me, “thank you.” 

The following 30 seconds was a yellow circle making me think of the sun and a beach. We walked together to his class while we both smiled, happily learning more of each other. 

My simple actions which made my new friend smile, made all the joy I could ever want, and a memory I will never forget. This moment taught me how doing a small act of kindness to make a difference is worth the same as a big act of kindness. I now try to find a way to make a difference everyday in my life, other’s life, and in society.