Dear Bullies,

Honestly, never in a million years did I think that I would ever write you a letter. The old me would have never done this. But, since I am given the opportunity, I am going to use it.

It took a while for me to get here, but I think that I am finally ready to get this off my shoulders and move on with my life.

For a very long time, I have held a grudge against you guys because of the way you guys made me feel. You made me feel worthless, ugly and useless, and even after many years of your torment, I still felt the impact. For many years, I was insecure and had low self-esteem. It came to the point that whenever any guy liked me, I thought they were joking because of the many years of lies and hurt that you had told me. For many years I struggled with low self-esteem, something that I am actually STILL trying to recover from. (But, I know one day that I will, with God's help.)

I still remember all those times that I was scared to go to lunch because I knew you would be waiting for me in the corner, just to say something demeaning to me, to ruin my day. The times where I couldn't hold in my tears until I got home, so I cried at school in front of others. And every time they asked me what was wrong, I was too ashamed to answer honestly. I remember the times when you talked nasty about me to other people, just for being myself. The times when you were friends with my best friends, but never having the heart to tell them about what you secretly do to me.

But, I finally felt some relief when you both moved away to different cities. I couldn't have been any happier. For the first time, I felt free and I could finally say that I was a "happy middle-schooler." (Well, as happy as any middle-schooler could be) That truly is sad, to only have happiness when your bullies leave.

But, then it got worse when I moved to a different school, and the both of you were there to torment me again, this time in high school.

I will never forget the time when you asked me, "What is it like to be ugly?" in front of the whole class.

But, after all these years, I just wanted to say that I FORGIVE YOU!

Despite all the sadness you have sent my way, I also wanted to say THANK YOU!

Even though you might never see this, I just wanted to say:

Thank you for making me a stronger person. Thank you for making me a person who doesn't care about what others think anymore. Because of you, whenever I go out, I don't pay attention to what others might say or think; I am my own independent person. You might have thought you did me harm, but you only did me a world of hurt.

Now I can finally LET GO of the hurt you gave me.

Sincerely,

Esther