To anyone who used to push me around,
You have, at times, been the least-liked people in my life. I even hated some of you. There were days when I would come home crying, not able to focus on any school work. That's how badly you hurt me. Some days, I wanted to transfer schools. Some days I wanted to run away. But I couldn't. I was forced to go right back to school the next day.
I hope you know who you are, because I will never forget how you treated me. Neither will my parents, who sat with me on those rough days. Even though you destroyed me, I was lucky enough to have loving parents that taught me how important I am. Parents who gave me encouragement every day to build my confidence. Confidence that you had tried to destroy.
Luckily for me, it was not destroyed. It was actually raised to a much higher standard. I taught myself that I am important. That I am loved. That my life is worth living. I didn't have the constant loving friend group that many people had. At times, I was my best and only friend. It's okay though, because I learned so much more about myself that I never could have known otherwise.
I wish I didn't have to look back on middle school and high school with sad memories of hurtful people, but I do. These upsetting memories, however, make me that much more grateful for my life currently. I finally have people around me that focus on building me up to be my absolute best. I can no longer tolerate anyone that makes me feel lesser about myself.
I also can no longer listen to people that throw pity parties for themselves. If I did, I would be a hypocrite. If I indulged in self-pity, I would not be where I am today. Life is about standing back up again and fixing your problems. You were my problem and I made every effort to fix it. Toxic people are no longer allowed in my life.
I also now know how to treat other people: strangers, friends, peers, superiors. Knowing what it feels like to be low, I have the tools to treat others with the utmost respect. I don't make jokes about sensitive situations. I stand up for others who are treated poorly. I can feel confident and happy without the need to put others down. And people respect me right back for it.
For my future, I know exactly what to say to my children when they are bullied. I know to not worry about them because they will be stronger one day. I know that they will deal with the same problems that I did. When they do, I will be there, just as my parents were. So I will say thank you. Thank you for making me the best version of myself. Thank you for helping me see my worth. Thank you for giving me the tools to help my future children.
Yours truly,
The Girl You Tried to Destroy
