its been a minute.

Hey friends!
First, let me say: check out my hair styler's blog. He is going to be putting a lot of wonderful things on there!
Paul Endicott
The Collective, Delaware, Ohio
http://hairtheory.blogspot.com/

It has been awhile since I have written.

Just started my 5th and last year of undergrad at BGSU! It doesn't seem real! I have learned so much at BGSU and I love these people and this University.
Recently, I have seen friendships begin and end... its hard to see it happening around me.. but it makes me appreciate the people in my life. Lately, I have seen how the people around me impact each other and how small actions can make a HUGE impact.

Never underestimate what one word or action can do to a person.
This story is just one example: ( I know its long, but it is so meaningful)

"One day when I was a freshman in high school, I saw the new kid in my class walking home from school His name was Kyle. It looked like he was carrying all of his books. I thought to myself, “Why would anyone bring home all his books on a Friday? He must really be a nerd.” I had quite a weekend planned with parties and a football game with my friends. So I shrugged my shoulders and walked on.
Just then a bunch of kids ran toward him, knocking the books out of his arms and tripping him so he landed in the dirt. His glasses went flying, and I saw them land in the grass about ten feet from him. As he looked up, I saw a terrible sadness in his eyes. My heart went out to him. I jogged over to him, picked up the glasses and handed them to him.
“Those guys are jerks. They really should get lives,” I commented.
He looked at me and said, “Hey, thanks!” There was a big smile on his face. It was one of those smiles that showed real gratitude.
I helped him pick up his books and asked him where he lived. As it turned out, he lived near me. As we walked home, I discovered he was a pretty cool kid. I asked him if he would like to play football with me and my friends on Saturday. He said, “Yes.” We hung out together all weekend and the more I got to know Kyle, the more I liked him. My friends liked him too.
On Monday morning, I saw Kyle carrying his huge stack of books again. I stopped him and said, “Dang, boy you are gonna really build some serious muscle carrying this pile of books everyday!” He laughed and handed me half the books.
Over the next four years, Kyle and I became best friends. By our senior year, Kyle had filled out and looked great. He was one of those guys that really found himself during high school. All the girls loved him, and he always had lots of dates. He had studied hard and was valedictorian of our class.
On graduation day, he was to give a speech. I could see that he was nervous. So I smacked him on the back and said, “Hey, big guy, you’ll be great!” He looked at me with one of those really grateful looks and smiled, ‘Thanks.”
He started his speech, “Graduation is a time to thank those who helped you make it through those tough years: your parents, your teachers, your siblings, maybe a coach, but mostly your friends. I am here to tell you that being a friend to someone is the best gift you can give.”
Then he began to tell the story of the first day we met. I stared at him in disbelief when he told how he had planned to kill himself that weekend. He had cleaned out his locker so his mom wouldn’t have to do it later. I heard a gasp go through the crowd as this handsome and popular boy told about his weakest moment.
He looked hard at me, gave me a little smile, and said, “Thankfully, my friend saved me from doing the unspeakable.”
His mom and dad looked at me with a grateful nod. Not until that moment did I realize that in one small gesture I changed a person’s life. Now I never underestimate the power of my actions. I learned that the support of a caring friend can impact someone in ways we may not fully understand and appreciate."

Thank you to all of my friends and family who constantly stick up for me and love me. I hope I can contribute to others the way you have to me. :)

Love,
Mads