To Make a Difference

"A young girl was walking along a beach upon which thousands of starfish had been washed up during a terrible storm. When she came to each starfish, she would pick it up, and throw it back into the ocean. People watched her with amusement.

She had been doing this for some time when a man approached her and said, "Little girl, why are you doing this? Look at this beach!! You can't save all these starfish. You can't begin to make a difference!"

The girl seemed crushed, suddenly deflated. But after a few moments, she bent down, picked up another starfish, and hurled it as far as she could into the ocean. She looked up at the man and replied,

"Well, I made a difference to that one!"

The old man looked at the girl inquisitively and thought about what she had done and said. Inspired, he joined the little girl in throwing starfish back into the sea. Soon others joined, and all the starfish were saved."
-By City Year.

I have often thought of how I could make a difference in others' lives. When I was 12 years old I learned in young womens that smiling at one person could change the entire world. Simply because a smile is contagious, similar to a laugh. I made a goal at that age that I would smile at strangers, or someone who I thought might be sad. It always made my days brighter and helped me make many friends. Reading this story inspired me to write about a few (or a lot) who have 'picked me up' & thrown me back into my 'ocean' when things have gotten tough.

My mama. I have never known a more charitable, selfless, loving, caring, christlike person in my life. Even though she never answers her cell phone, she is a.l.w.a.y.s there for me. I notice she is hard on herself about decisions she has made in her life, but I want to tell my mom that she has been a great example to me. I hope to carry all of those traits in my life and I hope to be the best mom in the world to my kids like she has done for me and Staci. Even though it might not be easy, but you laugh at all my jokes and I love you for that. Thank you for making a difference in my life mom. I hope I'm half the mom you have been to me.

My Dad. It's always great to say you are best friends with your parents. I can go to my dad for anything, and if I need anything he drops what he is doing and his attention is all mine. I will admit that I am the most sensitive one in my family. I worry about how people think of me, what they say, if they judge me... and so on. In high school, I came home crying quite often to my dad about rumors that were being spread about me. My dad looked at me and said, "You know what you gotta do?... you just need to kill them with kindness." That hit me like a ton of bricks. From that moment on I grew a certain amount of strength that I longed for, that I thought I could never have. Knowing that quote and actually acting upon it, changed me completely. We don't hug often, but when we do, they are my favorite hugs I have ever had. I cherish every single one. Thanks for always sharing your coke with me, and for making a difference in my life every day.

Beaner. I don't even know where to begin with this one. 7 years apart and you are my best friend. I have always thought... man, if we weren't sisters I would want to be her best friend, I would want to know her, I would want to be as funny as her, I would want to be around her! You've picked me up every time you have found me crying, by wrapping your arms around me and telling me everything will be okay... then follow up with a hilarious story. When I was 7 you made a difference in my life because you came into this world, and I knew from that moment on you would be my best friend. (even though I hated sharing my room with you.) I would share my room with you any old day of the week.

Haylee. You came into my life purely through the work of the Lord. He knew I needed a best friend like you to help me get through 3 of the toughest years of my life. You understood my feelings, and even when you disagreed to how I felt about things you never left my side. You have showed me how to be a true best friend. I will never forget the greatest summer of my life, the greatest cabin, the most amazing spiritual family, and the best inside jokes. Thank you for making a difference in my life. You have picked me up many times to throw me back into my ocean... to encourage me to keep going.

Richelle and Chris. I will never forget the first time I met you two. Chris answered the door in his G's and gladly welcomed me into your home. You two brought someone very special into my life and it has surely made a difference. I hope that I have a strong relationship with my spouse, just like the one you guys share. I love both of you so much and want you to know I admire your companionship and your example to me.

Rinner. What can I say? You have picked me up plenty of times and thrown me back into the ocean whenever I get stuck in the sand. You have the best advice, the most contagious laugh, and you have given me the most sincere friendship I have ever had. You have helped me so much with my confidence and root me on in any decision I make. You make a difference in my life every day. (p.s. how great was New York?) only the best!!

Chauntay. May not be easy but you laugh at my jokes, and you listen to all of my crazy stories. I have never met anyone I can relate to most about almost anything. Every day I thank Heavenly Father to even know you, let alone be your friend. I am so glad that he put you in my life. He knew I needed a friend like you. I wouldn't be who I am today without you. You have been the greatest example to me and have really made me into the best person I can be. I have had countless moments where I have come to a crossroads and I have to make a decision quick... I always think "What would Chauntay do?" I love you tay. Thank you for making a difference.

Grandpa Ron. To the best Grandpa in the world, you have the best stories and I can't imagine what life would be like without you. I owe it all to mom for the relationship I have with you, because without her I wouldn't be spoiled, I wouldn't have known Grandma Bev, I wouldn't have had one of the best uncles around, but mostly I wouldn't know you. You have picked mom up plenty of times and because you have done that, you have made a difference in my life. -miss you all the time.

I could go on and on and on and on about people who have made a difference in my life. I just want people to not be afraid to make a difference. It doesn't have to be something huge, and it doesn't have to take a lot of thinking. Like I said before, smiling at one person can travel the world... because its contagious. Waving, hugging, laughing, compliments, or throwing a few starfish back into the ocean can make a difference. It may not be to thousands, but to one... It will make a difference. Just try it, you know I am :)

xoxo, Kimberly.