“I Should Have Told You Years Ago”
This weekend was my 50th high school reunion, the photo is the evidence. To say it was an amazing experience was an understatement but it was topped off by something one of my classmates shared with me that happened over a half century ago. The truth is, I didn’t remember.
Stuart was a scrawny kid and was picked on sometimes so he relayed a story that I did not remember. Here is the short version. Near the school at the time there was a shooting range. We both happened to be there and some bully grabbed his glasses and through them out into the range. He told me that he was too embarrassed and scared to retrieve them, so I walked into the range to get them. Once I handed them to him I walked over to the bully not saying a word, just hauled off and gave him something to remember.
The bully was knocked out cold but was finally brought back by his buddies, who poured water on their friend. It’s not smart to mess with a farm boy that didn’t know his own strength. None of them seemed to be tough guys any longer. Stuart said I wish I had told you years ago but am not sure I could have conveyed it very well. “Let me share with you what you really did for me that day. First, no one ever picked on me again and for that I was grateful and second and the most important is there hasn’t been the day, that when someone needed a helping hand that I didn’t reach out my hand to help. It is always time for me to repay your kindness.”
I was literally in tears, as it was one of the most heartfelt gifts that I have ever received. It tells me it is all recorded in the book of life. You just don’t know the impact you will make in the life of another human being.
Subscribe to my blog via Email:
Joe Petrowsky, NMLS #6869
Right Trac Financial Group, Inc. NMLS #2709
110 Main St.
Manchester, Ct. 06042
Office: 860 647-7701 x116
Fax: 860 647-8940
Cell: 860 836-9294
Email: joe@righttracfg.com
Joe Petrowsky does not guarantee nor is in any way responsible for the accuracy of the information provided herein, and provides said information without warranties of any kind, either expressed or implied.
Equal Housing Statement: We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. We encourage and support an affirmative advertising and marketing program in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing becuase of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin.
Good morning Joe, what a heart warming story, have a great Tuesday!
Good morning Joe,
Farm boy's always finish what they start.
Lessons we learn and teach that we never knew.
Make yourself a great day.
Joe,
What a great story, the little things kindnesses we spread can have an enormous ripple effect, that we don't realize. This is why Ron and I love these words from the Dalai Lama. "Be kind whenever, possible, it is always possible." A
Tears here too....and you truly gave him...not only a memory but a life lesson he has cherished.
I am forever proud of you Joe- for someone to wait this long and he told you that you made a difference in his life because from that point on whenever he saw someone that needed help he then stepped up-that is a wow!!!
Joe, what a GREAT story and most bullies cease their cowardly behavior when greeted by the farmboy hand of fellowship. Well done for sticking up for a person in need!!!
Joe: It takes courage to stand in the gap for someone else. Kudos to you for making a difference in Stuart's life.
Your post just had me in tears Joe.....the way I see it, now was the right time for him to tell you. When it happened, it wouldn't have meant nearly as much to you.
That's an amazing story and a lesson we all need to take to heart.
Wow, Joe... that is a great story. What a great reminder that we never know how our actions can affect another!
wow.. a powerful story, and a testament to your character...
Good morning Joe, what a great story and a reminder for all. We can make a difference!
One act of kindness changed someones life. How great is that. Congratulations!
Great story, and I also had defenders against bullies since I was a little guy intellectual type. My 50th is next year and I had not planned to attend but now you having me thinking about it.
Great story Joe.... and a great act of kindness.
What a great story, thank-you for sharing something to relevant today. You know you made a difference in your friend's life.
I want to emphasize your statement...BOOK of LIFE..Even if one doesn't believe in its origin, the concept stands strong and the message clear. Behave while here
Joe Petrowsky A very good story. Of course, we already knew what a great guy you are.
Bill Roberts
Great story. Just shows you never know who you truly inspire.
Joe, well, count me in as one in tears too. We need to remember with each and every thing we do that we may have a lasting impact on anothers life. We can make it a good one, or make it a bad one....
That's amazing! Even more so by the fact that you don't remember. You're right, small things we do sometimes mean the most to someone else...good or bad.
most important is there hasn’t been the day, that when someone needed a helping hand that I didn’t reach out my hand to help. It is always time for me to repay your kindness.”
Good for you, Joe! Your positive action changed a life. That's an excellent lesson for all of us today because we never know when we might have a one time opportunity to help others. Thanks for posting!
What an excellent story Joe. You have had excellent character ever since you were a little fellow
Wow, that was such a wonderful story, and frankly I'm teary eyed for just having read it. Thx for sharing. Love these meaningful moment things, what an affect on someone's life.
Okay, now I'm tearing up. What a great story. It really shows the impact we can have on other people's lives. Wow, you, via chain reaction, probably impacted 100's of people's lives.
Isn't that something...A day that you didn't even remember and it made such a big impact on someone else's life...
Sadly, in today's society that bully would have sued you for assault and probably would have won. I wish we could go back to those days when you could take care of the bad guys with a good smack to the face.
Well done, Joe Petrowsky . Pretty amazing how something forgotten by you has positively impacted so many others.
Also glad for you this happened then. Today, the 'farm boy' would likely have been in a heap of trouble... How times have changed.
Thanks for sharing,
Bruce
Great story, Joe. It is interesting the impact we can unknowingly have on others. Don't mess with a farm boy!
That is a FABULOUS story, thanks for sharing! It may be seemed like a forgettable incident to you, but I can see how it was UNforgettable for this boy.
Awesome!
Alan, what a great story. There are so many little things we do that we don't remember, both good and not so great, that other people carry around for years. I had someone once tell me, with tears in her eyes, that years before I'd said something less than charitable about her beloved cat. I didn't even remember her having a cat, and I couldn't remember saying anything mean about anybody's cat - like ever!
Your story is so much nicer!
Joe - so glad you shared this story with all of us. We just never know how we've touched someones life but it's clear we do in so many ways that are profound and simple at the same time. I'm happy that young boy had you to stand up for him and that's he's been paying it forward all these years. Awesome and evern cooler that he shared it with you at your 50th reunion.
Joe, an inspiration to all of us. Thanks for sharing the story.
Great story Joe and as one that has felt your hand shake and hugs, I wouldn't question your strength today, either physical or of character
What a great story Joe. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Joe - Great story - what goes around comes around - even if it takes 50 years to do so!
Joe, what an incredible story, and one that reminds me of "The Christmas Story" when Ralphie beat the bully up! Good for you for standing up for a classmate. P.S.: Can I send you the name and address of someone who's been bullying me for a while? LOL
Great story and a great 50 year reunion!! I remember going in to my son's open house night and there was a kid that was eyeing him. My son told me the guy picked on him, which is strange because my son isn't a push over. But bullies get away with it (even grown up/adult ones) because no one does anything to stop them. When that little punk kid came round, I gave him the Mom Stank Eye, which seemed to do the trick!
Joe, I loved reading your story about what happened and how you helped a fellow classmate and friend. You made a friend for life that day, and I hope you had a great 50th reunion.
We all effect those in our "sphere of influence" daily. We should all work to make sure it is a positive influence. You go, Joe Petrowsky
Great story and good job Joe for helping someone being bullied. You made quite an impact on the classmate's life and the hudreds of people he has helped because of you sticking up for him. You showed a good example too to anyone else that was around when it happened.
Joe, I am tearing up, what a terrific gift and heartfelt. One act of kindness brings more. I totally agree that one never knows the impact that they make in the life of another human being.....AND YOU DID, JOE!
Thank you for sharing this Joe you certainly had an impact on Stuart's life and those who he went on to help.
Thank you!
Joe, it is obvious from this story that you did not just recently begin to care about people. You are a successes today because you CARE. You look for a way to lift people up. Your stories inspire me as I know they do many others.
Thanks Joe.
To bear witness to this incredible happening of this man sharing with Joe how he was impacted by Joe's courage and sense of honor was humbling and melted my heart .We never know when how much our actions can affect another human being -making a difference- and you do. xo
Thank you for sharing. You had me tearing up as well. Whether you remember or not isn't important - the person who benefited remembered. What a wonderful gift to find that out.
Joe, thanks for sharing your touching story at your 50th high school renunion. It's something to see grown men act out as bullies and I always wonder if they were the bullies or the bullied in their school days. Too bad we can't knock 'em out cold or we would be charged with assault.
Thanks, Joe. This is what makes life rich!
A great, great story, Joe. So true what they say, that our characters and true natures are set very early in life. I'm looking forward to my 50th in less than a year (but since I attended my 40th I don't expect any big surprises like you had).
How neat to come away from a class reunion with such a feel good story! I guess I won't be picking on you!
Such a touching story - thanks for sharing!
Joe I am glad Stuart finally shared that with you. It is one of those priceless moments.
This is a great story and what a nice surprise to hear what an impact you had on Stuart's life.
So Joe, you started out as you have become. Maybe a just bit more polished now. And this story was every bit more motivating as any I heard all day at training yesterday. You have inspired me to be a better person again today. Mark
Goes to show that big results can come from our actions or inactions. Great story, Joe.
How beautiful! I would have been in tears too. You just never know the impact you have on others! Aren't you lucky to have gotten the chance to know!
Hi Joe Petrowsky , We may not alwas know the effect we have on people, whether it is positive or negative. It's best to be a help to someone who needs it.
What a wonderful story of unselfish kindness and human caring. This says so very much about your core character.
That is a wonderful story, Joe. You accomplished a lot on that day around 50 years ago, and who knows how many lives were ultimately affected, because Stuart reached out to help others, too.
So true Joe. We often don't know the impact that we have on the lives of others. That was truly a gift ... and a blessing.
Joe- I love this story so much! First of all, your story added one more reason why I admire you. And it drives home to all of us that we never know when one act or a few words can have an impact on someone.
Hi Joe, Thank you for sharing this story. Had me tearing up as well.
Looks like you haven't changed through the years, Joe. You made a real impression in this kid's life! Not too many of us can say that!
Holy crap, Joe, that made my eyes water and I slapped my heart. I love stories like this. It's true that you do often never know how much you touch another person. Every so often I will get an email from some person I don't even know to say how much I affected them by my writings, and I don't want to say that makes my day because it's much more than one day . . . as you have illustrated. It fills us with purpose.
Joe
That's a great story . . . . Congratulations on the gold star.
Good luck and success.
Lou Ludwig
Good morning Joe. Thank you for sharing the inspirational story.
Now this is why I love getting on AR every day. Very nice story.
Oh Joe, sorry I am late here but it is a mindful moment that we all may touch someone by doing the right thing...don't hold back...it is wonderful he shared that with you.
Joe,
It took a lot of courage for you to stand up to the bully. Thank you for sharing this inspirational story. This one act touched so many people.
Brigita
You're a fine man, Joe! I loved this post.
Good Morning Joe Petrowsky - Your story gave me goosebumps! What I appreciate the most, was the moral of the story. You didn't do what you did for that boy to get rewarded, or your picture in the newspaper; nor were you trying to impress a girl or show off your strength. Unbeknown to you, you did it all to change the course of that boy's life and you gave him back his dignity.
It doesn't get any better than that Joe. I am very thankful just to hear this story and even more blessed to know there are people like you. Thank you Joe for sharing with us the gift of who you are.
Good Morning Joe:
You always have a heart for the underdogs. I would not want to mess with Joe.
That moment.. when you ran to Stuart's rescue, I would bet in my lifetime that he will never ever forget this.
And he will never.
A little Onion Warning on these things if you don't mind please I need to function over here.
Thanks.
Make it a Great Day.
glad you showed us some of your past...
have a great week Joe....
This is a wonderful story to share. Real estate professionals are lucky in that that they can reach out every day and help meet the needs of others.
Joe Petrowsky you make me emotional sometimes.....
I remember Andy Andrew narrated a story with the similar message - you never know what you did for others and how that has helped them! Keep doing what is right, at every opportunity.
Good morning again Joe. Wow.....what a wonderful story. I am moved but not surprised. You are the best.
Hey, Joe!
I included this post in today's "Last Week's Favorites". Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
I am glad I didnt miss your post, thanks to Patricia! Happy Sunday!~
What a gift you were given when he shared his story with you. We all have impacted other peoples lives, hopefully in memorable ways.
Ah, Joe, so like you! One of the many reasons you are a "powerhouse" in my book and how truly magnificent that umpteen years later, this man shared a monumental moment with you. Closure!
Joe, My High School Class celebrated our 50th on September 19, 2015. That day, I got to be Stuart, as I finally had the opportunity to say to two very special ladies what I should have said long ago. One was a beautiful brunette cheerleader, and the other a beautiful teacher. Their greatest beauty remains: the capacity to CARE AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT! I got to hug each, and in the presence of both, tell them that they changed my foolishness and slothfulness into discipline and purpose. My reward was getting to see them in good health and filled with happiness. There are a couple other people I hope to find and tell them the impact they have had on my life
Truthfully, that momement with Helen and Mrs. Reidel holds more value in my life than any monetary reward or RECOGNITION I have ever received. Yes, I wish I could have done it long ago.
Wow great share. It's almost making me want to go to mine next year......have a ways to go before 50. One never knows the difference we can make in someone's life. That's why we are in Real Estate