We can make a difference!

We are talking about self-conception in my interpersonal relations class (COMM 150) at BYU-Idaho. A lot of what we've talked about has to do with how other people affect how we act and how we think about ourselves. I would like to take a look at how our opinions and how we treat others affects them.
Here is a relevant story from when I was in Jr. High:

There was a kid named John Priest in my grade. He seemed to be known as the stereotypical "white trash" kid in our grade. Most people treated him badly and spoke ill of him behind his back as well as to his face. I also at some point or another treated him badly and said negative things about him, instead of befriending him and building him up. The summer between 9th and 10th grade, he ended up committing suicide. I have always had that on my conscience that I could have made a difference by being his friend.

The moral of the story is deeper than you might expect. Number one is the obvious; that is that you need to be careful what you say about others and how you treat others. Also, you need to keep your eyes open for the odd man out, and be his friend; especially when no one else will. Third, and I think most relevant for me now, is to teach your children to befriend those in need.

I can't change what happened with John Priest, but I hope that I and my children might be the difference in someone's life, that we might unknowingly save someone's life by being his/her friend.