Bullies

Ever been afraid to go to school? I have.

My bully's name was Dipper, and he liked to strike in the locker room after gym class. Thinking back, it was minor stuff: comments, throwing towels into running showers—that sort of thing. Back then, it seemed so huge. Affected my whole day. Week, even. I would ask myself, what was I going to do? Tell a teacher? That would be 'telling'. Fight him? He never laid a hand on me.

How I wish I could go back to tell my 12 year old self what to do.

Teaching our kids how to deal with bullies, whether the push-you-around kind, or the get-in-your-head variety, is more important than ever. Now a school yard taunt can evolve into a viral video on Youtube. What a bully says can now go around the world.

Oh, and what ever happened to my bully? Dipper? He's a taxidermist now. Yeah.... And, boy, has he ever shrunk. One day I should tell him he inspired the bully I put in my book. Maybe the next time I need a toilet bowl shampoo.