This morning I decided that the cup of coffee I had at home before I left for work was not enough to get myself prepared for the day. Marley, love her dearly, might be the WORST sleep partner ever - whose idea was it to let her sleep in bed with us, anyway? Eric, if you're reading this DO NOT answer! You see, Marley refuses to sleep at the edge of the bed like a normal dog. (However, if you've read any of my previous posts, you know she's not a normal dog.) Instead, she insists on sleeping right smack between us, and if Eric and I try to cuddle, she noses and wedges her way in between, even resorting to plopping herself down right on top of me in a last ditch ever to make me move over. And let me tell you, 70 pounds of Labradoodle can do a number on your back, so she usually wins that battle. Most nights, she snores and snuggles up next to my ear, which I usually don't mind in the winter because she becomes another source of body heat. However last night, while resting comfortably in her usual spot, Marley got a bad case of hairball and was hacking up a storm. Eric, afraid she was going to puke, started yelling for me to get the dog out of the bed because she was going to throw up. How am I going to get the dog out of the bed any faster than he would? I digress... Long story short she did not end up tossing her cookies, but nonetheless I was awoken from my dreams and therefore extra tired this morning.
So back to the coffee... I stopped at Manhattan Bagel, which is right next to my office for a breakfast sandwich and medium double double. After an excessively long wait, I received my sandwich sans the coffee which had not been charged to my order. Since there was a long line behind me, I decided I would drive to the other side of my office building to McDonalds to get my .79 cent coffee instead. I pulled into the drive thru with just one vehicle in front of me, placed my order and waited... and waited... what the heck was taking so long? Apparently the proud Marine mom in front of me had a rather large drive thru order, and it is because of that, that she paid for my coffee. I was so grateful and as I poked my head out the window, she called back for me to have a great day. I said thank you for the coffee and thank you for your child's service to our country. As the decals on her minivan said, Semper Fi! She was a proud Marine mom, and she was doing what she could to make her mark on the world. She certainly left a great impression on me this morning, and a little less grumpy me at that.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Happy New Year?
There has been much speculation that 2012 will be the last year of our existence. I can't say that I believe this to be true, but nonetheless it encourages me to live life to its very fullest.
My husband and I recently watched a "Decoded" show on the end of the world according to Mayan calculations, and I found it hilarious when Eric suggested that we stock up on water and canned food, but had laughed at me just a few months prior when I told him that we should stock up "just in case" the prediction comes true. Heck, I should laugh at him a bit harder, because if the end of the world does indeed come, then who the heck needs food and water if we're all moving on to the world beyond.
Truthfully, I type this in jest, because although I found most of the "predictions" to be pretty far fetched, it is only a matter of time before some catastrophic event changes the world as we know it. I highly doubt the human race will be completely eliminated, and I truly do pray that I do not live to see the end of the world no matter if it's in totality or just as we see it today. No matter the means I pray that the "end" comes many, many years after my family is long gone, including extended family and that of my future children, their future children, their future children and so on.
However, should the end be near, I have made a list of ways I can self improve to better my standing with the big guy upstairs. That, and it's never a bad thing to want to live life a little healthier, wealthier and have a better outlook
1) I will think before I speak and consider the person's feelings on the other end of the conversation
2) I will put family first no matter the circumstances
3) I will be a better friend, partner, daughter, sister and aunt
4) I will clean more often
5) I will put the clothes away, if not immediately, within two days of drying, folding and bringing the clothes upstairs
6) I will be a mother (before I am 30) and be a damn good one at that
7) I will exercise at least 3 times a week and eat healthier
8) I will be better with finances by saving for our future - no matter how soon or far away it may be
9) I will spend more time with my nephew and neices
10) I will have more patience
This list is in no particular order, but some items do carry more weight than others. Some may be negotiable, while others are not. And some, one in particular, is out of my control, but would thrill me if it comes true.
Finally, I will do better at living this quote:
“You've gotta dance like there's nobody watching,
Love like you'll never be hurt,
Sing like there's nobody listening,
And live like it's heaven on earth.”
Happy New Year!
My husband and I recently watched a "Decoded" show on the end of the world according to Mayan calculations, and I found it hilarious when Eric suggested that we stock up on water and canned food, but had laughed at me just a few months prior when I told him that we should stock up "just in case" the prediction comes true. Heck, I should laugh at him a bit harder, because if the end of the world does indeed come, then who the heck needs food and water if we're all moving on to the world beyond.
Truthfully, I type this in jest, because although I found most of the "predictions" to be pretty far fetched, it is only a matter of time before some catastrophic event changes the world as we know it. I highly doubt the human race will be completely eliminated, and I truly do pray that I do not live to see the end of the world no matter if it's in totality or just as we see it today. No matter the means I pray that the "end" comes many, many years after my family is long gone, including extended family and that of my future children, their future children, their future children and so on.
However, should the end be near, I have made a list of ways I can self improve to better my standing with the big guy upstairs. That, and it's never a bad thing to want to live life a little healthier, wealthier and have a better outlook
1) I will think before I speak and consider the person's feelings on the other end of the conversation
2) I will put family first no matter the circumstances
3) I will be a better friend, partner, daughter, sister and aunt
4) I will clean more often
5) I will put the clothes away, if not immediately, within two days of drying, folding and bringing the clothes upstairs
6) I will be a mother (before I am 30) and be a damn good one at that
7) I will exercise at least 3 times a week and eat healthier
8) I will be better with finances by saving for our future - no matter how soon or far away it may be
9) I will spend more time with my nephew and neices
10) I will have more patience
This list is in no particular order, but some items do carry more weight than others. Some may be negotiable, while others are not. And some, one in particular, is out of my control, but would thrill me if it comes true.
Finally, I will do better at living this quote:
“You've gotta dance like there's nobody watching,
Love like you'll never be hurt,
Sing like there's nobody listening,
And live like it's heaven on earth.”
Happy New Year!
Monday, December 5, 2011
Horrible Customer Service!
Two weeks ago, a deer literally ran into my car as I was turning onto my street and caused $4,000 worth of damage to my vehicle. After calling my insurance provider, I was advised to go to Gabes Collision on Genesee Street in Cheektowaga because it would "cut back on the paperwork." Ok, I am all about skipping signing on the dotted line a thousand times, and since my insurance "guarantees" their work, I figured I'd give them a try.
I dropped my car off the Tuesday after the accident and was told it would take about a week to finish because of the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. My claims adjuster would be in touch though with up-to-date information throughout the whole process. The adjuster called me every other day until Wednesday the following week when he called to let me know the car wasn't quite ready and it could be finished by EOD Thursday but he would call me to verify. Thursday came and went, then most of Friday and by 4 p.m. I called him to find out the status of Big Red. I left a voicemail, and received a call a short while later telling me to call Gabes myself to find out the status. Strike 1.
It was 4:30 p.m. when I called Gabes to find out that my car was indeed ready for pick up, but I had to get there by 5 p.m. when they closed... well, I work about a 1/2 hour away, so there was no chance that I'd get there by closing time. So Saturday morning, I picked up my car and headed to my mother's for a full day of Christmas shopping. As I drove, I realized that my heat no longer works and in fact cold air blows out of the vent. By the time I was able to call Gabes, the shop had closed for the day and would not reopen until Monday morning at 8 a.m.. Strike 2.
Monday morning, I called and left a message at 8:05 a.m. that someone should call me as soon as possible, because my heat was not working properly, and I had found two random car parts (small caps) in my cup holder that led me to believe that the car was not put back together properly. I left home by 8:30 a.m. because I had to get to work. On my way, it was freezing rain with no heat, which is bad enough, but now I also discovered another problem, my defogger was also not in working order. So, I have no heat, my windows are fogging up and freezing rain is sticking to my windshield. After taking extra precautions, I finally arrived at work, but I still have not received a phone call back from Gabes Collision and it's now after 9 a.m.
I waited until 9:30 a.m. and tried again. Amazingly, the shop was open and someone answered on the second ring. I asked to speak to a manager and explained my dilemmas. After telling the manager that I did not feel safe driving the vehicle, I was told that they would not send a tow truck and I would have to essentially suck it up, put my safety and others safety at risk, and make my way back to Cheektowaga. Strike 4 and 5.
Now for the kicker, after a 2 hour wait, I was then told the problem was fixed and that it was just an air pocket and those left over pieces were really no big deal, but they put them back in place to make me feel better. OK this now strike 6,7 and a million.
Are you kidding me!?!?! DO NOT tell me that these parts are not necessary. How dare you tell me that they are no big deal. Would you feel ok driving a vehicle that may or may not have missing parts no matter how superfluous these parts may be? I highly doubt that. Would you feel safe driving a vehicle with fogged up windows and no heat in the beginning of winter? I highly doubt that, too. And finally, would you be ok with someone speaking to your daughter or wife as you have addressed me. I highly doubt that also. Moral of the story. Do not take your vehicle to Gabes Collision on Genesee Street in Cheektowaga. They have horrible costumer service, and from what I can see, are highly incompetent.
I dropped my car off the Tuesday after the accident and was told it would take about a week to finish because of the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. My claims adjuster would be in touch though with up-to-date information throughout the whole process. The adjuster called me every other day until Wednesday the following week when he called to let me know the car wasn't quite ready and it could be finished by EOD Thursday but he would call me to verify. Thursday came and went, then most of Friday and by 4 p.m. I called him to find out the status of Big Red. I left a voicemail, and received a call a short while later telling me to call Gabes myself to find out the status. Strike 1.
It was 4:30 p.m. when I called Gabes to find out that my car was indeed ready for pick up, but I had to get there by 5 p.m. when they closed... well, I work about a 1/2 hour away, so there was no chance that I'd get there by closing time. So Saturday morning, I picked up my car and headed to my mother's for a full day of Christmas shopping. As I drove, I realized that my heat no longer works and in fact cold air blows out of the vent. By the time I was able to call Gabes, the shop had closed for the day and would not reopen until Monday morning at 8 a.m.. Strike 2.
Monday morning, I called and left a message at 8:05 a.m. that someone should call me as soon as possible, because my heat was not working properly, and I had found two random car parts (small caps) in my cup holder that led me to believe that the car was not put back together properly. I left home by 8:30 a.m. because I had to get to work. On my way, it was freezing rain with no heat, which is bad enough, but now I also discovered another problem, my defogger was also not in working order. So, I have no heat, my windows are fogging up and freezing rain is sticking to my windshield. After taking extra precautions, I finally arrived at work, but I still have not received a phone call back from Gabes Collision and it's now after 9 a.m.
I waited until 9:30 a.m. and tried again. Amazingly, the shop was open and someone answered on the second ring. I asked to speak to a manager and explained my dilemmas. After telling the manager that I did not feel safe driving the vehicle, I was told that they would not send a tow truck and I would have to essentially suck it up, put my safety and others safety at risk, and make my way back to Cheektowaga. Strike 4 and 5.
Now for the kicker, after a 2 hour wait, I was then told the problem was fixed and that it was just an air pocket and those left over pieces were really no big deal, but they put them back in place to make me feel better. OK this now strike 6,7 and a million.
Are you kidding me!?!?! DO NOT tell me that these parts are not necessary. How dare you tell me that they are no big deal. Would you feel ok driving a vehicle that may or may not have missing parts no matter how superfluous these parts may be? I highly doubt that. Would you feel safe driving a vehicle with fogged up windows and no heat in the beginning of winter? I highly doubt that, too. And finally, would you be ok with someone speaking to your daughter or wife as you have addressed me. I highly doubt that also. Moral of the story. Do not take your vehicle to Gabes Collision on Genesee Street in Cheektowaga. They have horrible costumer service, and from what I can see, are highly incompetent.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Dog-Eat-Ring World Out There
Well, Thanksgiving left me little to be thankful for... other than my family and friends of course. Thursday morning, I woke up, made breakfast, watched a little of the parade and started to get ready for the day. I had a lot to do and not much time. Eric, against my advice, decided to go play in the "Turkey Bowl," which is a group of now 30 somethings playing two hand touch and running around like they're in their 20s again. Sidebar: this the same Turkey Bowl game that Eric tore his rotator cuff just the year before. I digress.
While he got ready for the game, I started baking and getting the food ready for the scheduled family visits later in the day. Eric left his wedding ring on the end table, put his spikes on and left for the big game.
As I baked, Marley sat by my side hoping I'd drop some tasty scraps for her to eat. Occasionally, I'd take a break and play chase or catch with her and also let her outside so she could go to the bathroom. All in all, it was a relatively quite day, which I should learn by now is always the kiss of death.
Eric returned home around 1:30, just in time for the asparagus to come out of the oven, and for me to jump in the shower so we could leave on time at 2:15. As I began the "beautifying process - washing hair, shaving legs, getting dressed and putting on make up, Eric was downstairs frantically searching for his wedding ring. He called up to me, asking me where I had put it... of course, I hadn't known that he didn't have it on, so naturally, I didn't put it anywhere. We moved furniture, searched other areas of the house, but to no avail. During our search, I went into the kitchen and noticed that while my asparagus were untouched, my oven mitt did not fair so well. All that was left was the bottom half of the mitt as the top half was consumed with no trace of its existence.
Frustrated and late, we left thinking maybe just maybe Marley ate the ring, too, but we still had faith that our "little" pup knew better. We came home between family meals to check on our dear labradoodle, but Marley seemed fine, so we went to Eric's side for dessert. However, still racking our brains to see if maybe one of us misplaced the band. We returned home, and I took Marley for a much-needed walk, then we went to bed with no ring and fearing the worst - that one of us would have to search for the ring after it has passed.
The next morning, Marley ate breakfast and I went Black Friday shopping with my mom. When I returned home a few hours later, Marley had already thrown up twice and was on her way to throwing up some more. It was time to call the vet. At the doctor's office, we were told that there was no evidence that pointed to bloat or a blockage, but we needed to be leery of the oven mitt, and not the wedding band. So we authorized an xray, so we could rule out emergency surgery, and right there on the screen was the evidence we needed - she did indeed eat the symbol of our vows and lifelong commitment to eachother. The good news, she didn't need surgery, the bad news we were $200 poorer and we'd be looking through her poop for the next few days.
Marley felt much better after the doctor gave her a shot and some fluids, and was up to her old antics... causing a raucous. Saturday came, and by 6 p.m. Marley had eaten two meals and digested them. I had the unfortunate luck of taking her outside when it was time to pass the ring and the remaining bits of oven mitt. Not only was I thoroughly disgusted because of what I was doing but also, because I had to pull the ring off of the oven mitt like it was a finger. I couldn't look at my pup for two days and I can only hope that she learned her lesson and will not be eating valuables or oven mitts anytime in the future... this better not be another kiss of death statement or Marley will have some splainin' to do!
While he got ready for the game, I started baking and getting the food ready for the scheduled family visits later in the day. Eric left his wedding ring on the end table, put his spikes on and left for the big game.
As I baked, Marley sat by my side hoping I'd drop some tasty scraps for her to eat. Occasionally, I'd take a break and play chase or catch with her and also let her outside so she could go to the bathroom. All in all, it was a relatively quite day, which I should learn by now is always the kiss of death.
Eric returned home around 1:30, just in time for the asparagus to come out of the oven, and for me to jump in the shower so we could leave on time at 2:15. As I began the "beautifying process - washing hair, shaving legs, getting dressed and putting on make up, Eric was downstairs frantically searching for his wedding ring. He called up to me, asking me where I had put it... of course, I hadn't known that he didn't have it on, so naturally, I didn't put it anywhere. We moved furniture, searched other areas of the house, but to no avail. During our search, I went into the kitchen and noticed that while my asparagus were untouched, my oven mitt did not fair so well. All that was left was the bottom half of the mitt as the top half was consumed with no trace of its existence.
Frustrated and late, we left thinking maybe just maybe Marley ate the ring, too, but we still had faith that our "little" pup knew better. We came home between family meals to check on our dear labradoodle, but Marley seemed fine, so we went to Eric's side for dessert. However, still racking our brains to see if maybe one of us misplaced the band. We returned home, and I took Marley for a much-needed walk, then we went to bed with no ring and fearing the worst - that one of us would have to search for the ring after it has passed.
The next morning, Marley ate breakfast and I went Black Friday shopping with my mom. When I returned home a few hours later, Marley had already thrown up twice and was on her way to throwing up some more. It was time to call the vet. At the doctor's office, we were told that there was no evidence that pointed to bloat or a blockage, but we needed to be leery of the oven mitt, and not the wedding band. So we authorized an xray, so we could rule out emergency surgery, and right there on the screen was the evidence we needed - she did indeed eat the symbol of our vows and lifelong commitment to eachother. The good news, she didn't need surgery, the bad news we were $200 poorer and we'd be looking through her poop for the next few days.
Marley felt much better after the doctor gave her a shot and some fluids, and was up to her old antics... causing a raucous. Saturday came, and by 6 p.m. Marley had eaten two meals and digested them. I had the unfortunate luck of taking her outside when it was time to pass the ring and the remaining bits of oven mitt. Not only was I thoroughly disgusted because of what I was doing but also, because I had to pull the ring off of the oven mitt like it was a finger. I couldn't look at my pup for two days and I can only hope that she learned her lesson and will not be eating valuables or oven mitts anytime in the future... this better not be another kiss of death statement or Marley will have some splainin' to do!
Friday, November 18, 2011
Regression is never a good thing!
Last weekend, Eric and I went to Allegany State Park with my family and decided to leave Marley with Eric's parents from Friday to Sunday. We made the decision to leave her at home, because we were nervous that she'd "break free" in unfamiliar territory. Unfortunately, she did not like being left at home without us, and she took it upon herself to make her feelings known.
She terrorized my in laws and made for a very uncomfortable pick up visit on Sunday morning.
Because of this short getaway, Marley has apparently regressed in all of the training progress we had made prior to our trip. She has been a brat - for lack of a better word - for the past week. She has gotten paperwork off of the kitchen counter and ripped it to shreds. She took an entire box of tissues from the bathroom and left a beautiful blanket of white shreddies strewn from one room to another.
This morning, I could not find her when I got out of the shower. So I searched the downstairs, then the upstairs, but it wasn't until I heard the faintest ring from her collar that I realized she had squeezed her 60-pound self under the bed. She somehow got the connector cord for my digital camera off the top book shelf and left it in tiny little pieces for me to vacuum after work.
There are days like today that I just shake my head and wonder what the heck I have gotten myself into. I love Marley with all my heart, but she is certainly living up to her name, and John Grogan's nickname of World's Worst Dog!
She terrorized my in laws and made for a very uncomfortable pick up visit on Sunday morning.
Because of this short getaway, Marley has apparently regressed in all of the training progress we had made prior to our trip. She has been a brat - for lack of a better word - for the past week. She has gotten paperwork off of the kitchen counter and ripped it to shreds. She took an entire box of tissues from the bathroom and left a beautiful blanket of white shreddies strewn from one room to another.
This morning, I could not find her when I got out of the shower. So I searched the downstairs, then the upstairs, but it wasn't until I heard the faintest ring from her collar that I realized she had squeezed her 60-pound self under the bed. She somehow got the connector cord for my digital camera off the top book shelf and left it in tiny little pieces for me to vacuum after work.
There are days like today that I just shake my head and wonder what the heck I have gotten myself into. I love Marley with all my heart, but she is certainly living up to her name, and John Grogan's nickname of World's Worst Dog!
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
What a weekend
I haven't had a chance to blog in recent weeks, so I figured I'd give an update today. Last week was interesting to say the least. Marley was having difficulty holding her urine and would randomly start peeing in the living room, in the kitchen while she ate, on her way to the back door... poor thing just couldn't stop herself. The final straw came Thursday morning as I was pouring my coffee. Marley was following me around, as she does most mornings, but something was off... as she watched me at the counter, she literally started urinating on my foot. OK, I thought, either we are seriously regressing with training or there is something wrong with my doodle.
When I got to work, I called the vet to find out if dogs could get urinary tract infections. To my amazement, they can and I was advised to get a urine sample to the vet as quickly as possible. How I was supposed to get this sample had yet to be determined. So I took an early lunch and brainstormed on the way home. I decided my best tactic would be to put Marley on the leash and tell her to go to the bathroom, and when she starts to pee I'd put the container underneath her. I was ecstatic when I got my sample within the first few minutes of being outside. I was just as quickly traumatized when Marley jumped up and knocked the sample out of my hand, spraying her pee all over my hands and clothes. Back inside, I changed my clothes, washed my hands, and encouraged her to drink as much water as possible. A short while later, we went back outside, leash in one hand, container WITH lid in the other. 45 short minutes later, I got my sample and headed to the vet... Only problem, I was in such a rush that I left the back door wide open... luckily no birds of prey (that's another story for another time), no bugs (that I know of) and no intruders entered my home - just an annoyed husband and an earful about responsibility when I returned to the house 6 hours later after work.
Turns out, Marley did have an U.T.I., but it was caught early and treated and she's back to normal. I'll have round two of getting another sample in 10-12 days. Oh boy!
When I got to work, I called the vet to find out if dogs could get urinary tract infections. To my amazement, they can and I was advised to get a urine sample to the vet as quickly as possible. How I was supposed to get this sample had yet to be determined. So I took an early lunch and brainstormed on the way home. I decided my best tactic would be to put Marley on the leash and tell her to go to the bathroom, and when she starts to pee I'd put the container underneath her. I was ecstatic when I got my sample within the first few minutes of being outside. I was just as quickly traumatized when Marley jumped up and knocked the sample out of my hand, spraying her pee all over my hands and clothes. Back inside, I changed my clothes, washed my hands, and encouraged her to drink as much water as possible. A short while later, we went back outside, leash in one hand, container WITH lid in the other. 45 short minutes later, I got my sample and headed to the vet... Only problem, I was in such a rush that I left the back door wide open... luckily no birds of prey (that's another story for another time), no bugs (that I know of) and no intruders entered my home - just an annoyed husband and an earful about responsibility when I returned to the house 6 hours later after work.
Turns out, Marley did have an U.T.I., but it was caught early and treated and she's back to normal. I'll have round two of getting another sample in 10-12 days. Oh boy!
Friday, September 23, 2011
When will the hate stop?
I was sad to hear of the untimely death of a Williamsville North High School freshman earlier this week. The freshman killed himself because he was bullied by other students about his sexual orientation. My first thought was that poor kid. Everyone's bullied, but I wonder what incident put him over the edge, and my second thought was in these modern-day times why aren't people more tolerant of homosexuals, and then I thought why aren't people more tolerant in general - why is there STILL hatred toward people of the opposite race, gender, religion, intelligence level, disabilities, etc.
My conclusion - it starts at home - around the dinner table. Kids at very young ages can sense a parent's attitude toward specific things. If the parent makes a derogatory comment about gays or against someone who's a "dork" or against a person of color, that child processes that it's ok to degrade others. Why aren't we sitting around the dinner table discussing tolerance? Why aren't we teaching our children to be a leader, not a follower? I'm not a parent yet, but I hope that I can teach my child values and to not only stand up for him or herself, but for others.
I, as many others, was the brunt of many jokes growing up. I was rail thin, had an abnormally large nose, and said some pretty dorky things. Today as a "grown up" I'm not necessarily thin, my nose is no longer abnormally large, but I still say some pretty "dorky" things. As a kid, I'd crack a joke about myself to prevent someone else from making the same joke at my expense. I then turned to making jokes about others, and although at the time I didn't think I was being mean and I certainly didn't mean it to be malicious, I shouldn't have made others laugh at someone else's expense. My thought was if I was making people laugh, they wouldn't pick on me. In retrospect, I should have stood up for others. I should have been kind to everyone. And I should have stuck up for myself, rather than showing others that I could take it when secretly I couldn't.
Today, I'm slightly ashamed to admit that I do hold some resentment for things that were said to me in high school. And although it was 10-15 years ago, and I shouldn't continue to let it bother me, I'd be lying if I said that it didn't.
I can't imagine what that poor Williamsville child was going through that day - the day he decided he couldn't take life anymore. It not only breaks my heart to think of the torment he must have felt, but also the regret that no one stood up for him. I wish someone would have told him that it gets better, and that life does not begin and end with middle or high school. It begins when you take control of your life. When you decide that you will no longer let other people's opinions bother you. The day you realize it's ok to have bad memories, but it's not ok to let it define you.
My conclusion - it starts at home - around the dinner table. Kids at very young ages can sense a parent's attitude toward specific things. If the parent makes a derogatory comment about gays or against someone who's a "dork" or against a person of color, that child processes that it's ok to degrade others. Why aren't we sitting around the dinner table discussing tolerance? Why aren't we teaching our children to be a leader, not a follower? I'm not a parent yet, but I hope that I can teach my child values and to not only stand up for him or herself, but for others.
I, as many others, was the brunt of many jokes growing up. I was rail thin, had an abnormally large nose, and said some pretty dorky things. Today as a "grown up" I'm not necessarily thin, my nose is no longer abnormally large, but I still say some pretty "dorky" things. As a kid, I'd crack a joke about myself to prevent someone else from making the same joke at my expense. I then turned to making jokes about others, and although at the time I didn't think I was being mean and I certainly didn't mean it to be malicious, I shouldn't have made others laugh at someone else's expense. My thought was if I was making people laugh, they wouldn't pick on me. In retrospect, I should have stood up for others. I should have been kind to everyone. And I should have stuck up for myself, rather than showing others that I could take it when secretly I couldn't.
Today, I'm slightly ashamed to admit that I do hold some resentment for things that were said to me in high school. And although it was 10-15 years ago, and I shouldn't continue to let it bother me, I'd be lying if I said that it didn't.
I can't imagine what that poor Williamsville child was going through that day - the day he decided he couldn't take life anymore. It not only breaks my heart to think of the torment he must have felt, but also the regret that no one stood up for him. I wish someone would have told him that it gets better, and that life does not begin and end with middle or high school. It begins when you take control of your life. When you decide that you will no longer let other people's opinions bother you. The day you realize it's ok to have bad memories, but it's not ok to let it define you.
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