Hey,
I’m not sure if you remember me, but I’m the chubby little girl you picked on all throughout grade school. I don’t take it personally if you don’t, because I wouldn’t want to remember how badly I treated someone either. It’s weird how clearly I remember you, though, and how much you’ve impacted who I am today. There were so many days I cried, and so many times I felt so alone , because of the enjoyment you found by putting me on the firing end of cruel jokes, and having everyone else follow your lead. I thank God for the tough skin I’ve always had, so I somehow found a way to not let you get to me as bad as you should have. However, I’m sure that’s not the case for all the other kids you chose to victimize.
Despite how this letter is beginning, I am not writing this to point fingers and tell you what a “bad person” you are, because I really don’t think that you are. Everyone makes mistakes, and if treating me the way you did was yours, I truly hope you’ve learned from it. As I’ve grown, I’ve realized how sad I am for you and others who feel that acting that way toward people is part of a happy life. So much of me hopes that you have changed your ways, because such true happiness in life comes from bringing joy to other people’s lives. The crazy part about that is, I think I learned that so much more because of how you treated me.
Although my years growing up weren’t always the easiest, I am thankful that I got to experience what it was like to be in the shoes of someone treated the way I was by you. As cliché as it sounds, it truly made me a better person. I know that it helped me be the empathetic person I am today, and the person who always will stand up for herself and others. I know that I wouldn’t be the person who tries to see the best in everyone, because I did that for so long in you. I know that I wouldn’t be as caring or as generous, because I wouldn’t know how much an ounce of kindness could mean to someone feeling as low as I did.
Now, I am no longer just that chubby girl you made fun of, but a person I am so thankful to be. I have striven so hard to be the opposite of what you were to me, and surround myself with people who do the same. 12 years later, I am so thankful for those who showed me kindness and support to get me where I am. And as weird as it sounds, I am thankful to those who didn’t show me any at all, because you showed me what I never want to be.
Wish you the best,
The awesome girl you never took the time to get to know
