My sixth grade year of school. I had a small group of about 5 or 6 friends I sat with at lunch. As you all well know middle school is hard. One day I noticed a young lady named Sarah. She was sitting alone. I didn't think much of it until another table started throwing food at her and saying mean things. I didn't know what to do at the time, but my heart broke for her through the rest of the day and that evening. I had made a decision and I didn't care what others would say. The next day I had my lunch and with out watching what others would do or say I introduced myself to Sarah and asked if I could sit with her. Amazingly enough my friends followed and sat with us. I don't remember if we sat together the rest of the year or the semister. But I remember Sarah and how sweet, kind and quiet she was. If I hadn't of made that choice, I would never have gotten the blessing of meeting and knowing her. Although I don't know where is she is now. I wish her the best and hope you all you find a friend like her in your life.
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Now that is a good story. It's hard to do things you don't usually do. Like sitting at another table with someone you don't know. Well don't Tobi.
I love the beauty in your post. Most of us are so caught up in our own stories that we miss our opportunities to become a positive part of someone else’s journey. What a beautiful unselfish courageous moment. I am certain you made a difference in that you girl’s life and that it had a lasting impact.
Your story is so great. In fact, just today, a group of girls invited me to sit and hangout with them in class. It made me feel so good, because based on my story on my About page, I had always thought I was invisible or that no one cared that I was there. So to have a group of girls invite me to sit with them, it made me realize that I'm not invisible anymore and that I do matter at school.
What an amazing story! Way to step outside of your box and help someone else in need. You are an amazing soul Tobi!
That was really brave of you to do that at such a young age. It can be intimidating to stand up against a group to help someone. We need more people with your courage to stand up against bullying. Thank you for sharing this!
I love hearing stories about kids who are brave enough to go against the flow. Acts like that have the power to change a little girl's life forever. I try not to live with a lot of regrets, but I can sincerely say that I deeply regret the times in my life when I could have been kinder. @Annie shares a similar experience in her story "So Embarrassed." People were really mean to her, and sadly, no one came to her defense. When a group of people (whether it be kids, adults, or teenagers) all decide to be mean together, it creates a destructive dam that destroys any possibility of spreading love or kindness. (Sadly, I think mean people even have a hard time loving themselves.) Thank you for breaking down the dam that day with a powerful act of kindness. You are proof that goodness can even exist in a situation where people are people are behaving so badly!
I'm so glad you did that for another person. That was very kind of you. I know what it's like to sit by yourself and have no friends, so I'm sure she really appreciates it and I hope others see this story and get inspired by it to help someone else. Thanks for sharing!
Tobi, I'm so excited to hear about people talking with other kids who are by themselves! Speaking from experience, that definitely makes a (good) big impact on other people's lives! You may have given someone else the confidence they need to get through life.
Wow Tobi! You and your friends were remarkably wise and thoughtful 6th graders. It is amazing that you were able to see past the fear of what others would say and do what you knew was right. I am sure that Sarah remembers it and it has made a difference in her life.