Arezou Esmaeeli

Bryan Dunn

English 2, 6th Hour

3 April 2016

The Little Things

    I’m sure many of us have heard the quote, “It’s the little things that count.” When I first heard this quote, I didn’t understand it. It was hard for me to process how little things count when normally the more extravagant something is, the better it is. Usually people are more amazed by huge weddings, huge parties and big presents but not tiny weddings, tiny parties and tiny presents. I was one to believe that it has to be extremely unique for it to be remembered forever and for it to be special. However, towards the end of freshman year and the beginning of sophomore year I realized that tiny actions or phrases that people don’t think much of, remain engraved in my brain for a very long time.

    Towards the end of freshman year, I was going through a lot. I cut off relations with people who were simply having a negative affect in my life. It was very hard for me to do so, because I was taught to believe that without them in my life I am nothing. However, afterwards, with the support of family and friends, I began to believe that I am special in my own way. Before I started to believe that, let me introduce you to an amazing person. I was friends with someone in my English class freshman year, let’s call him ‘H’.  I knew ‘H’ from mutual friends and from family friend parties. ‘H’ seemed like a kind kid, and very sincere. I respect that a lot. This person doesn’t know it yet, but he helped me out a lot when I hated life the most.

    I remember at the time, I wanted this person to never lose respect for me because I could see that they were one of the few good people left in this world. After I finally broke free from the people that were keeping me away from happiness….I expected ‘H’ to never talk to me again. The reason is that one person who I cut off enjoyed spreading rumors, very bad rumors. She made sure to let me know how popular she is, and that she is close friends with someone who is close friends with ‘H.’ I was terrified because I knew that I didn’t have the strength to explain the situation if ‘H’ didn’t talk to me anymore. Every day I went to school terrified; I tried not to show it, but my shaking body and my stuttering made sure to show how scared I was of seeing the people I cut off relations with. The great thing about school though, ‘H’ talked to me everyday like usual. It was almost like nothing ever happened, and I was grateful. I was grateful because it meant that ‘H’ hadn’t received any rumors or if he did, he payed no attention to them. It would be the same hellos, and the same goodbyes with the same smiling faces. I believe it was these little conversations that helped maintain a piece of my happiness. The regular conversations that people have everyday and take for granted is what helped me keep a brave face throughout the school day. H now knows my situation, but he is unaware about how much he helped me out.

    After freshman year, I have had numerous experiences with little things that stood out to me. This one in particular is very important to me because of how easily I can start to tear up. I’m sure that to those that know me, it is pretty obvious who ‘H’ is. I still have a large amount of respect for this person and their entire family. It is absolutely incredible that people so kind exist especially in a world where kindness is seen as weakness at times. I hope to find a good time where I can properly thank this person for all he has done, even though he probably doesn’t even know the affect the whole situation had on me.

    I’m sure some of us have had moments where a hello from a stranger or friend can make our day. I understand the importance of little things a bit better now. I find them more meaningful than huge surprise parties and celebrations because they usually aren’t planned. Little things usually happen by accident or by pure kindness, with no intention of anything in return. The simplicity of little things are amazing, and anyone is capable of doing it.