Dear Shirley, Earth Angel:

Lots of teenagers are bullies, unfortunately. Lots of teenagers get bullied by other teenagers, it is a national problem, a global problem. What a shame. There is no lack in adult bullies, only maybe those are more specific in their targets: lots of parents bully their children, convenient, easy target but are very nice to neighbors and strangers/ other adults.

Back to teenagers, when bullied or criticized, be as calm as you can be and assert yourself with the bully- do not roll over, do not submit to bullies, or to anyone. If you feel stunned and speechless, say something like: I don’t like what you just said. Say it confidently, looking the person in the eyes.

You wrote: “the simplest things in life are often the most meaningful” and I whole heartedly and whole mindedly agree.

Seven more days, I think, and there will Shirley attend the first day of the last year of high school, confident and determined to patiently make progress academically, athletically, socially.

anita