As you read my story don’t feel sorry for me but realize this is one of triumph! I grew up being bullied everyday! I was teased, spat on, had spit balls spit at me, not picked for teams in gym (being put on the only team that needed a player), sitting alone at lunch, my name was made fun of and I even had teachers laughing/not standing up for me. I felt scared to go to school, terrified to ride the bus, hated going to school. I felt alone and truly was. I had no friends and the ones I thought were my friends were two faced. In 7th grade I was at a friend’s house in her basement and physically beaten up, held down and there was a boy watching and swinging a knife around, laughing and the girl with rings repeatedly punched me in my face over and over. I had to walk home after being beat up in the dark for 2 miles. I had a very lonely childhood. I remember swinging on my swing singing to myself all the time. That was a big enjoyment of mine. Then on January, 4th 1985 after five years of watching her suffer my mother died of cancer when I was 13. It was a very scary and depressing childhood. I was very neglected and alone. These struggles followed me into my adult life and my marriage-domestic. As I reflect back on those times I have feelings I can’t describe. With a relationship with God, many years of counseling and friendships I’ve developed I made it through. I recently worked for 11 years as a house parent at The Milton Hershey School in Hershey Pa, I lived with 12 middle school girls, my ex husband and two children. We were like 2nd parents to them. Milton Hershey School is a residential school for students who come from broken homes and broken dreams. There are some memories that pop up from time to time esp. when I see others go through the same struggles as I did. They are so strong and spectacular girls. I helped them live successful and meaningful lives on a daily basis. This experience in life has taught me to love others unconditionally, judge less and except others for the way they are.