Often in life, things get heavy; we must have others or things to help pick us back up, whether it is a bad day or life is getting hard. People need kindness. You never know what silent battles people are going through.

   Sophomore Lorelai Adams at Northwest High School (NWHS) is a prime example of someone who constantly shows kindness and empathy. She strives to be kind to everyone, not just to her friends and family. Adams is the type of person who, when asked for help, expects nothing in return. However, it was not always this way.

   Adams used to feel isolated and alone. People would talk to her, but only when they needed something.  Although she was feeling this way, no one was kind enough to step up and listen. 

   “When people weren’t kind to me, I was drained, I was depressed, because no one would take the time to listen to me and care about what I had to say,” said Adams. Adams yearns to feel the kindness she puts out into the world, but can not find a way to feel it.

   Although Adams has struggled behind closed doors, the one person kind enough to show her kindness and help her was her grandpa. He showed her kindness by being there when she needed and listening to her, while helping her build her relationship with God.

   He introduces her to a safe space and someone to go to feel loved and understood, making her feel less alone and helping her through her hard times. She had somewhere to go without anyone needing anything from her. This little act changed something in her forever, making her feel loved and heard and pushing her to spread this message to others in need.

   “You never know behind closed doors what they are dealing with- I’d rather someone be like, I can message Lorelai, I know she will listen, she’ll understand,” said Adams.

  Sophomore Skylar Clucas, as Adams’s best friend, personally witnesses this kindness in person by simply opening people’s eyes and showing different positive perspectives. 

   “When we are anywhere, and someone needs help, she talks to them or asks them to come and sit with us; she does and can brighten a lot of people’s days,” said Clucas.

   People never know what others are going through; you never know people’s home life, or how they are being treated. For Adams, this means following the age-old rule: Treat others the way you want to be treated.