Grow the f**** up!

I think one of the most challenging lessons you learn as you get older, is that just because you gain years in age doesn't mean you gain any years in maturity. I came across something last night that really bothered me on Facebook in relation to what I'm going to write about.

There was this kid I went to school with from 1st grade-12th grade. If you can think of the weirdest oddball you know and multiplied it by 1,000,000 you got this kid. In fact, that would even an understatement. It's become apparent to me this kid had some social defect or something of that sort to make him the way he is in recent years. He was pale as a ghost, thin, and his mother smothered him and most likely did drugs, alcohol, and smoked throughout her pregnancy. Throughout school growing up he lived out sci-fi fantasies on the playground, pretending he was a robot, laughing inappropriately out loud to himself, running through the halls knocking people over to get to class exactly 4 minutes before the bell rang, and etc. Back then, it was humorous it was funny. He got picked on non-stop, and I admit I was mean to him a few times also. I was young then though and peer pressure was hard to resist when you were already an outcast yourself.

Before, I get into the actual story, let me make note that I'll be 22 on Saturday, my classmates and I from high school graduate in 2004. Anyways, last night while I was on Facebook I saw there was a group created all around making fun of this kid. It's description was titled (to protect this person I'm going to make up a name) " A discussion for Tom Keenly enthusiasts". Already the group has comments about the mannerisms and oddities about this kid. I know I will NEVER forget this kid, because of how really strange he was, but all these people in this group are ADULTS and haven't had association with this person for 4 years.

How much can a person take? How much hell is this poor kid going to have to go through? Why are people creating a group or hangout out of negativity and hurtfulness especially when most of these people are college graduates off in grad school, med school, or law school? Also, a lot of the people who had posted things on here were outcasts and kids made fun of in school themselves? Have people not learned anything?

I don't think people realize the effect bullying has on children. I hear even from celebrities that they will never forget some of the horrible things kids did to them growing up. I know from experiences that a lot of the bullying I received has attributed to my anxiety disorders and low self esteem. Now, just to see this freaking group 4 years after the fact, steams me.

I think things like this for teens and kids is getting worse these days. I don't think kids have the proper outlet to express their emotions and are afraid to talk to someone about it all. I know I was, and I wish there was something out there where I had a safe place I could talk to my similar peers, and gain support and tools to channel the negative experiences I was having into positive ones. My boyfriend and I were just talking about this. I'm sure there are foundations out there that serve some of these purposes I'll have to do my research though. I wish there was something more nationwide and recognized. Hmm...I may need to save some of my thoughts and ideas for this on another blog but I just wanted to share this story.

I really do hope that kid does find the peace in his life he needs to be happy and I hope he does get the help and support he needs to lead his life, and I'm truly sorry for being mean to him back in junior high.