As a sophomore in high school, I didn’t feel pretty. I was overweight and lonely with few friends. Life wasn’t good! Then one day a new girl named Jill showed up. She was an immediate hit – pretty, trim, and popular. For a week, she didn’t even know I existed, but then things changed. Jill came up to me, introduced herself and said, “I just love your hair. I wish mine looked like yours”. I was almost speechless and just got out a soft, “Thank you”. From that time on, Jill always spoke to me, complimenting me on various things, and it actually seemed like she wanted to be my friend.

One day, Jill asked if I would like to meet her for a soda at “Pops”, a popular hangout. I gladly accepted. I will never forget what she shared with me. She said that two years earlier, at her old school, she was 50 pounds overweight. She certainly didn’t see herself as pretty and she was very lonely. A teacher took her in and became her friend. He accepted her as she was. He saw her potential and helped her gain confidence. But the way he did it was amazing.

Jill told me he didn’t talk about what she should do, but how she could help others reach their potential. Jill and the teacher visited often, and she began seeing herself more concerned about others and much less concerned about her personal issues. She became more outgoing. She liked the way she looked and her energy level went way up. Her weight started going down, too.

Jill looked at me and said, “Sara, we may not be able to change the world, but if we work together, I’ll bet we can help a lot of people reach their potential. Will you partner with me in doing this?” I gladly accepted and now in college, I am trim. I see myself as pretty, and I thrive on helping others reach their potential.

Thank you, Jill!

This story happened over 40 years ago. It is a contributing reason for this Acts of Kindness Campaign. Jill is no longer with us, but her kindness lives on.