Words Hurt : Put An End to Bullying

Friends who know me IRL know of my passion on this subject.

I am one of those mamas.

The lioness who will not tolerate her cubs being bothered in any way, shape or form. 

Mess with them and you've messed with the wrong mama.

You see, I was bullied as a young girl.

5th grade to be exact.

Two of my then "best friends", a silly card game that went wrong...my life became a bit of a nightmare. 

They started to ignore me at school.

And then the taunting began. Telling me they would be waiting for me.

Were going to kill me. All kinds of pleasant stuff.

I remember how afraid I was. 

I actually made myself physically sick. 

For days on end I would tell my mother that I had a bad stomach and couldn't go to school.

She believed me in the beginning.

But then, when it continued to happen and no doctor could find anything wrong, she began to wonder what was really going on. 

We ended up at the leading children's hospital in Toronto.

And I ended up in front of a children's psychiatrist. 

I finally confessed.

I only remember bits and parts of that day. 

But the next day? That day I will never forget.

My mother, an immigrant with very poor english, marched me to school that morning.

She spoke to the principal and pulled me out that SAME day. 

And then, what she did next? Well, let's just say we would be in a lot of trouble for in today's day.

She found those two girls.

One running off quicker than her legs could carry her. 

The other? She may or may not have gotten a wee parting gift from my mama.

She was my hero that day, she really was.

I will never forget it. 

I have zero tolerance for bullying. At any age.

And I will let you know it. 

I may or may not have dealt with a few boys already. Ahem.

I tell you, bullies are cowards.

Won't you join me in signing the Take Part pledge below to help put an end to this behavior?
It just takes a moment.
{click the "PLEDGE NOW" button on the right to start}

Huge thanks to Take Part for sponsoring today's discussion.