When I was in school in the days before the internet, I knew what it was to be bullied at an All Girls School, by girls in the school.
I was the child with a home-made gingham summer school uniform that my mother had made. It had an extra deep, doubled rolled hem and a bought lace collar along with pres-studs down the front. With buttons sewn on top. At first I was so proud of my new dress, because it had a fancy collar made of lace, not plain like the others. And I proudly went off to my new School aged 11.My dress started out miles too big. But each year as I grew the hem was let down, you could see the material hem marks of each layer… And it was a good thing that it was in those later years, the mini skirt was in fashion.
My winter skirt, was the same, and by the time I left school, aged Fifteen, it was shiny black with the amounts of washing and ironing.. It was then passed down to my middle sister who also had to wear it.
That dress got me into so much trouble. The headmistress had me in her office often, as she would single me out of assembly, making me blush, and cry, as she stood me in front of the whole assembly, not once but often telling me that is not the correct uniform. She would single another pupil out who wore the correct uniform and continue her verbal lashings of the Do’s and Don’ts of what not to wear.
I would go home with a letter from the headmistress and my mother would rip it up and say, we cannot afford new dresses, that is why my red and white checked gingham dress was home-made in the first place. I became to feel ashamed of the dress,ashamed of my shape, and felt everyone was looking at me. I learnt too who were friends, and who were not, as my uniform was made fun of.
Children can be so cruel, and we as adults should know better.. But we are talking in the days when corporal punishment was allowed and it was normal to have the chalk board rubber thrown at you if you were lacking paying attention!.
That summer dress I kid you not lasted me the whole four years at secondary school, it fit where it touched. My Shoes also lasted for three years, they were second-hand off a cousin to start with, and filled with cotton wool because they were too big, and when at last the sole got worn and had a hole in them, I though yipppeee!… Now I get a new pair, But no, my Dad re-soled them.. And for many years, I always felt~ Unworthy.. For it seemed my middle sister and I had to make do, while my three other siblings always seemed to have newer things.
Words Wound, and scar, and leave those who are bullied feeling so hurt and alone.. imagine being in today’s climate on your phone or computer in your own safe environment and how that impacts upon a young child or teenager who is already feeling insecure ..
Where ever I go, what ever I do, I try to become aware of how my words may impact upon another, I am not always successful, I have my outbursts too.. But I try to leave Kindness, Upliftment, and Praise for others… If we all found just one small thing in which to compliment another human being, What a difference that could make to their feelings of worthiness.
We are all responsible for our thoughts, words, deeds and actions..
Lets Make a Difference with the ones we use..
This Post has been Scheduled and I will not be able to access replies until the weekend. Many thanks in advance to all who take the time to leave me your welcome comments.
Thank you.
See you Soon
~Sue~
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