THE KISS THAT STOPPED A SUICIDE

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ADEBAYO OLUWATOMISIN E.
 
  One of the worst things about being young is the way passing things seems somehow permanent. So when a 16-year old in Nigeria faced yet another example of fate raining all over his incredibly poor family, he decided to step out rather than suffer a life of torment and misery.

   Climbing over the railing of a pedestrian bridge, he prepared to jump.At which point a passing sales girl named Janet decided to get involved. Despite having never seen the kid before, despite the girl knowing nothing of his problems, she followed him to the railing and did the only thing she could; She listened as this random 16 years old described the pit his life had fallen into, she listened as he listed the endless problems tearing his family life to bits and then she simply showed him her wrists.

  As they stood there, surrounded by the Police and gawping pedestrians, Janet told him the story behind her own attempted suicide quietly, firmly and without any contrivances. When she was done, she leaned forward, hugged the boy, and gave him a kiss. And the boy suddenly decided that maybe life was worth living after all.

   All Janet had done was something no one else had ever thought to do, She'd given the kid her full attention and really listened. And that little slice of kindness was all it took to save his life.

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