The Little Things

              I still vividly remember when a little kid spit at me in the second grade, even though it was nine whole years ago.  His name was Kevin, and I had the biggest crush on him.  It was very heart-breaking to me that he would spit at me.  I spat right back and hit him right in the middle of his forehead.  Because he was so impressed by my spitting-abilities, he actually asked me out; yes, right after spitting on me (oh how I miss those logical days of elementary school.)  I said no to that jerk who held my heart, and instead went out with a little boy named Jonny to teach Kevin that you can’t treat a girl that way and still expect her to go out with you.  Kevin acted like he didn’t care at all, in fact he said that he was happy that his good friend Jonny found himself a pretty girl like me.  What is odd though is that I cannot tell you a single thing about the entire two weeks that Jonny and I dated; all I remember is the look on Kevin’s face when he found out.  He looked so crushed and betrayed.  The look only lasted a second before he collected himself, but it’s the thing that has lasted with me the longest from that whole experience.  

            Everyone has those memories, those little moments that really stick in your mind.  I remember when my brother closed the door on my pinky finger.  I don’t remember what happened before it, after it, when it was, or why he did it, but I remember the feeling like he did it yesterday.  I remember when my friend accidently dropped my new jacket off a swing and into the mud.  I remember when my friend stabbed me with a pencil. I remember when my friend told me that I was fat.  All of these things have stuck with me through the years, even though they were not that monumental.  These little, seemingly insignificant details really still matter to me today, and I can still feel the way I felt through each of those memories.

There are those little happy memories that stick in my mind as well.  I remember the joy just from winning a card game against my good friend on a road trip once.  I can still feel the warmth of the sun on my back, and the jovial mood from when I got stuck on a rollercoaster with my friend.  I still remember when my friend told me she was jealous of my skinny thighs.  Even now, a few years later, I still think of her nice just off-hand comment when I feel self-conscious about my weight.

            The little things we do can have huge impacts on people, and they can remember those things for years to come.  When I think of my brother I think of the time I got off the school bus in the eighth grade and he had driven over to the bus stop to pick me up because it was pouring down rain and he didn’t want me to walk through it.  The small unnecessary comments we make can be the most lasting we have.  Telling a girl she’s beautiful when she’s dressed up for a dance is expected, but what is much more meaningful is: just on a regular day, telling her that the way her cheeks curve when she smiles is beautiful.  Opening a door for a stranger can make their day, taking extra notes in class for a friend when you know they are sick at home -- these things are much more lasting than you think.  Unexpected, sincere comments or actions really show your true personality.  So beware of all of your actions, and think of all the little things you can do for other people.