I feel your pain. So sad about Emma taking her own life. She was a beautiful person. I, too, was bullied as a kid by hateful boys in my neighborhood. The one boy ended up drowning when a rip current swept him under, and the other boy was killed by gunfire as an adult. I believe that you are a more compassionate human being having been through that as a kid, even though I know that you had a rough go of it there. Thanks for sharing this, Greyson.
I would like to think there’s some kind of silver lining and I’m a better person because of it (ha, though I’m far from perfect).
It’s unfortunate what happened not only to you, but the bullies. I’d like to think everyone is due a redemption arch (and who knows what all bullies are going through at home).
No, life sure doesn’t make it easy…that’s for sure. One possible silver lining is that such experiences tend to make us more empathetic to others, and help us to relate to… and connect with… those who have been through the same.
Wow thank you for this. I was also bullied and it made me hate my name (boys spread rumors about me in 8th grade). I also got called "duck girl" because of my big feet and lips. Among other awfulness. All that stuck with me in a very deep way.
So glad you have made it out. And I'm so sorry for Emma. She really gave you some beautiful kindness. Sending a big hug.
Wow I really did not expect the ending. So sad. So impacting. So sudden.
I guess some people are meant to pass in our life only briefly but to make a long lasting impact, like an angel I guess.
Under different circumstances I too had a female friend support me through tough times. We didn't really do much. We would watch Tv together, bake cookies and do some college work together. But she was there for me. I was there for her. We never talked much about it. We were just there. I still love her to this day for that, yet she moved on as did I. (She moved, she married, has kids...)
I am fortunate to reunite with her now and then. We never discuss it but I'm sure she knows how important she was as I know how I was to her.
In the same way, I confident your friend knew as well what she meant to you, and maybe, you don't notice this, but you being in her life for that time also meant a lot to her.
These deep, true, friendship feelings can only come to be, when they are a two way street.
I don't want to over extend here, what I share above happened in my early 20s, but growing up I was also bullyed when I was 10-12.
Different reason same name: "gay". I think it's a bit worth than you describe it. Being called that on the early 90s was the same as saying you were worth less than other and should be made to feel ashame of yourself. There is no reparation from that. Not then, not now.
I never talked about it at home as I felt ashamed. And being done at school is a feeling of being trapped in the consecutive abuse. You can't run away and you meed6to go back for more pain every day.
As the mother of two boys, one still in high school, and a teacher of 23 years, this one hit home. After reading this one, I fell down a bit of a rabbit hole of your writing. You have a very strong, engaging voice. I only JUST pulled myself out because I'm 'supposed' to be writing myself right now during a writer's group session. I'll be back...
I feel your pain. So sad about Emma taking her own life. She was a beautiful person. I, too, was bullied as a kid by hateful boys in my neighborhood. The one boy ended up drowning when a rip current swept him under, and the other boy was killed by gunfire as an adult. I believe that you are a more compassionate human being having been through that as a kid, even though I know that you had a rough go of it there. Thanks for sharing this, Greyson.
I would like to think there’s some kind of silver lining and I’m a better person because of it (ha, though I’m far from perfect).
It’s unfortunate what happened not only to you, but the bullies. I’d like to think everyone is due a redemption arch (and who knows what all bullies are going through at home).
Life sure doesn’t make it easy sometimes.
No, life sure doesn’t make it easy…that’s for sure. One possible silver lining is that such experiences tend to make us more empathetic to others, and help us to relate to… and connect with… those who have been through the same.
Wow thank you for this. I was also bullied and it made me hate my name (boys spread rumors about me in 8th grade). I also got called "duck girl" because of my big feet and lips. Among other awfulness. All that stuck with me in a very deep way.
So glad you have made it out. And I'm so sorry for Emma. She really gave you some beautiful kindness. Sending a big hug.
Wow I really did not expect the ending. So sad. So impacting. So sudden.
I guess some people are meant to pass in our life only briefly but to make a long lasting impact, like an angel I guess.
Under different circumstances I too had a female friend support me through tough times. We didn't really do much. We would watch Tv together, bake cookies and do some college work together. But she was there for me. I was there for her. We never talked much about it. We were just there. I still love her to this day for that, yet she moved on as did I. (She moved, she married, has kids...)
I am fortunate to reunite with her now and then. We never discuss it but I'm sure she knows how important she was as I know how I was to her.
In the same way, I confident your friend knew as well what she meant to you, and maybe, you don't notice this, but you being in her life for that time also meant a lot to her.
These deep, true, friendship feelings can only come to be, when they are a two way street.
I don't want to over extend here, what I share above happened in my early 20s, but growing up I was also bullyed when I was 10-12.
Different reason same name: "gay". I think it's a bit worth than you describe it. Being called that on the early 90s was the same as saying you were worth less than other and should be made to feel ashame of yourself. There is no reparation from that. Not then, not now.
I never talked about it at home as I felt ashamed. And being done at school is a feeling of being trapped in the consecutive abuse. You can't run away and you meed6to go back for more pain every day.
It's horrible.
As the mother of two boys, one still in high school, and a teacher of 23 years, this one hit home. After reading this one, I fell down a bit of a rabbit hole of your writing. You have a very strong, engaging voice. I only JUST pulled myself out because I'm 'supposed' to be writing myself right now during a writer's group session. I'll be back...
Nothing wrong with a little reading when you're "supposed" to be writing. Ha, sometimes I think my brain would rather be distracted than writing.
But I do very much appreciate you taking the slight detour from your own work to read mine. I look forward to having you back!
RIP Emma 🙏❤️