If You Knew

Most of us in the world believe we know someone in their lives, but do you truly know them? Let me tell you a story about a boy that everybody said they knew. This boy was your average American growing up with his sister and wonderful family in small house in a small town. He took nothing for granted and cherished every moment. Since he lived in a small house, he had to share a room with his sister until he was eight. When that time came he was told he would no longer have a room because his little sister was getting it to herself. Since this was the case, the little boy had to consider is living room his room. Every night for the next eleven years his bedroom was the living room and his bed was the pull out couch. The little boy was upset, frustrated, and didn’t understand why this was happening. He fought with his parents each day the rest of the week because the little boy didn’t believe it was fair. The little boy’s father pulled him a side one night and they discussed the issue. The father was sorry that they had to do this but there was nothing else they could do. The father went on and told the little boy that life sometimes isn’t fair, but you learn to deal and move on. After a few weeks, the little boy accepted his new sleeping area, but didn’t tell anyone in his school, even his closest friends until about the age of 12. You ask how? The little boy barely had any sleep overs at his house unless it was with a group of people because the whole group would hang out in the living room. No one knew about it, and that’s the way the little boy wanted it to be at that time.

                Now this little boy has become a teenager in his freshman year of high school and has found a new passion in running. This boy is very determined to succeed and his best friend is pushing him to see that happen. This boy’s best friend is like a brother he never had. They tell each other everything and they don’t care what people say about them. Things start to get tough for this boy as things at home are getting a little out of hand. His parents are struggling to pay bills, and are constantly fighting. The boy tries to help out as much as he can. He gets a part time job and gives money to help his parents. He is also trying to help his sister in school as well. When things get too stressful, he always goes for a run to go into his own little world. As this boy gets older, he learns about respect. His seems to be a little bit more mature then his classmates, and he seems out of place with his classmates. He stays quiet and keeps to himself. He shy, especially when it comes to girls, but this boy is the most polite boy you will meet.

                Now this boy has grown to become a young man and is doing everything to help his family. He hates seeing them struggle, fighting all the time, and frustrated. The young man does realize however that his parents do love each other and this family and will do whatever it takes to see their two children be successful. The young man is continuing is high school education, and is starting to feel left out more and more with his classmates. He has a few good friends, but the boy looks at the rest of his classmates as stuck up, but successful.  The young man wishes to be successful, but has been told multiple times that he won’t go to college, will work a cruddy job, and was told that the world would be better off without him. The young man is upset about this and cries to his parents. His parents give him reassurance that he can do whatever he puts his mind to and to never give up. This young man is determined to prove everyone wrong.

                So what is this young man up to now? Well he is becoming more like an adult each day and is attending college. The man is very successful at college, and has become a different person since high school. He still respects those around him, even if he doesn’t know them on a personal level. He has traveled throughout the country meeting new people, and helping those build confidence in his life.  This man is still determined, and is accomplishing his goals each day. He runs every day and doesn’t regret a thing. He is helping his family with payments and he is excited to see is little sister growing up to become a young woman.  This man isn’t perfect he makes mistakes like everyone else, but he learns from those mistakes. He has learned not to judge those around him because he doesn’t know what they have been through. This man is on a mission to change the world for the better. He really isn’t sure how, but he knows he will.

                If you know this man, or any one like this man, you are a lucky person. The morale of this story may be unclear, but just remember this. You never know a person’s past, and present, so get to know a person before you make a quick judgment on them.