A lesson learned from my 10 year old self.

A little while back I received a friend request on Facebook from someone that I went to Elementary School with. In my OLD age ;) it took me a bit to remember who this friend was. This wasn't the friend that I had sleepovers with or went to the movies with on Friday night but it was a school friend. While I was wracking my brain I received a message from her {that I asked her permission to share with you all} it said..........

Hello stranger! :) I am way happy I seen you on FB. I know it has been a long time but, I cherish the memories you and I have,...(ok, they may be from Mr.Rabon's 4th grade Art's & Craft's)....but they still count...lol... You never know what a small good gesture will do for someone's soul... I will end in saying Thank you, in that class you made my spirit shine, through the bullies because you stood up for me and I will never forget that, (not sure if you remember) but I do and you continue to be a inspiration to me, you taught me at 10 years old, what I continue to teach my children today. O:)

Well, knock me over!

Reading that two things hit me.....

One... I  can't believe that I don't remember her being bullied.

and Two.... go ten year old me! ;)

I am not sharing this story to make myself look great because.... Heck..... that was me well over twenty years ago and if anyone gets the credit for that one it would be my parents. No, the reason that I am sharing this experience with you my sweet friends is simply to remind you how important our roles as parents truly are.

I don't know what would be worse.....

to have a child that is a bully....

or to have a child that is bullied.

Regan and I talk about bullying all of the time. Let's face it 10+ girls can be MEAN. She will tell me about how someone said or did something unkind and then it is my turn to ask her how she responded to the situation.  If she stood up for the person being bullied then she gets a huge high five from mom. If she wasn't sure how to handle the situation then we talk it through together so that next time she will be better prepared. "Ok.... so if they say this then maybe next time you can say this......" "Next time this happens how about you........."

Our children learn to have a voice as we teach them to have a voice.

I have always been an outspoken person, even as a child. Luckily, my parents recognized that early on and taught me to LOVE... not to judge a person..... by the color of their skin.... social standing..... clothing...... abilities or disabilities, or religion.

I am grateful for the lessons that my parents taught me early on with out me even realizing it's impact until years and years later.

I want my daughter to make a difference.

I want her to understand that she has a voice..... a very important voice.

Because of a ten year olds actions this sweet friend single handedly sewed 30 pillowcases for the Team Bubba pillowcase drive.!!I am grateful that even though I don't remember those moments today...... that ten year old me was brave enough to stand up for another human being. I am grateful for the amazing woman that the sweet ten year old being bullied turned into. She has a loving and huge heart that went above and beyond to help Team Bubba. I am grateful that a sweet ten year old girl did not let the actions of a few bullies determine her destiny and proved them wrong by becoming a wonderful mother and FRIEND to me when I needed her.

Our actions matter.