A Letter to David

When I set out to capture and produce ACMB Presents: Reality Bytes On BULLYING, a video piece in which mothers open up a dialogue on bullying in the wake of David Molak’s untimely death, I expected to be touched, enlightened, and empowered to act. After all, David could be your son. He could be mine.

But what I did not expect to feel as I learned more about David’s story was anxiety. But I did. You see, I too, was a victim of bullying many years ago. The feelings I thought I had buried deep within my soul had suddenly been unearthed.

I found myself wanting to talk to David. So, as many a blogger does, I began to write. Here is my letter to David, followed by ACMB Presents: Reality Bytes On BULLYING.

Dear David 2

Dear David,

As your big brown eyes look down upon us from heaven, I often wonder what you think. Do you wish you would have chosen to stay on this earth longer? Or, are you resting in peace, watching the love, kindness, and anti-bullying movement that’s evolving here just days after your departure?

I so wish, David, that this outpouring of compassion and concern could have been shown to you much, much earlier. I wish your school could have had the ability to do more with the words heaved upon you outside of its walls. I wish the state had already put in place consequences for this type of contemporary bullying.

I don’t know the details of the berating attacks that caused you such tangible pain. I, like so many others, only know of the news reports and information shared by your family. I do know several people who knew you personally—like your pre-kindergarten teacher, who still has your class photo hanging on her wall.

While I cannot begin to understand the pain you suffered, I too was bullied in high school. Much like you, I did not have differences that set me apart from my peers. I was the cheerleading captain, a swimmer, and a softball player. I held multiple leadership positions. I was  on the prom court. But none of that matters, because bullies don’t stereotype. If it wasn’t me, it would have been someone else. Likewise, it was never about you, David. Not really.

My bully was a sophomore, one year older than I—though in 1989 I never once called it that: “bullying.” Not many did, honestly. A “bully,” even then, was more of a fictional character, like the boy in A Christmas Story who stops Ralphie and his brothers on their walk home from school.

My bully did not like the fact that her (ex?)-boyfriend asked me to dance at the school dance. From that dance on, this girl told her friends she would make it her mission to make my high school days—quote—“a living hell.” And she was partly successful. For three years, this girl and several of her friends delighted in attempting to create an imbalance of power grown from fear. She took a dead frog from biology class and hung it on my locker. She created a nickname, much like the one assigned to you, David, and scribbled it on the wall in the girls’ bathroom. She used magazine letters to craft a threatening letter, which she posted, again, on my locker. She egged my parents’ house. She even somehow got into my car at school, took my bra from my sports bag, and hung it from the car’s antenna for all to see.

I can’t imagine what this girl would have done had there been Instagram as there is today. The idea of the supposed power social media would have given my bully both frightens and disgusts me.

David, you were very brave to tell your parents about your bully.

I, instead, quietly endured these attacks in front of my friends and classmates. I was never meek; however, I avoided the conflict.  I grew up in a loving home that saw very little fighting. Over time, I did mention my pain to my parents, but I downplayed it so they would not consider going up to the school to discuss the matter. Anything but that. That would really but fuel to her fire, I thought.

I realize now that I should have gone to my parents much earlier. I should have welcomed the support I know they would have shown me. I should have gone to my school counselor and principal. Honestly, I probably should have gone to the police.

But that takes courage—the kind of courage you showed, David.

So as I think about your battle with bullying, David, I question what allowed me to remain in the same school as my bully. Why did I forge forward when heartbreakingly you and countless others do not? It is with deep thought and conviction that my now 41-year-old self believes this: Ultimately, it was my ability to recognize and believe with all my heart and soul that it was the girl—my bully—who was the one with the problem. As much as I loathed that girl, I also felt incredibly sorry for her. I believe she was psychologically and perhaps socially broken. I told myself she must have had something pretty terrible happen to her or lack some serious confidence to feel the need to bully someone to feel better about herself. I even prayed for my bully as I prayed for my own strength. You know what, David? I do believe God gave me the inner strength to be at a place emotionally and mentally that would not allow my bully to “win.” I use the word “win” because, to my bully, it was a game—a very sick game. And really, are there ever any winners?

Perhaps that’s where parents, such as myself, need to do a better job.

David, did you see me with four other moms this week, discussing bullying in the wake of losing you? Did you hear the mom who said that bully prevention must start in the home? Did you hear the mom of the little boy who is hearing impaired say that what she realized is that if a kid wants to bully someone, he or she is going to find a person and a reason, plain and simple? Could you feel our determination when we exclaimed that what we need to do, as parents, is to first model kind, loving, empathetic behavior? Our kids learn by watching us! Did you hear when we moms agreed that in 2016, we need to work harder to empower our kids by teaching them how to respond to conflict from an early age?

Yes, David, what is becoming of #DavidsLegacy, while bittersweet, is also powerful. It is certainly not the way in which any of us would have chosen to enter this fight against bullying. It is, however, a gift. Your legacy, David, is a gift that our community—our country—cannot afford to leave unopened.

Love,
Erin

 

Erin
Never in her wildest dreams would Erin have predicted she would call San Antonio home. But this girl who was born and raised in Delaware (yes, it’s a state!), and lived in New York, Montana, Nebraska and Colorado, is thrilled to do so! Erin and her husband Nate have lived in San Antonio for almost 9 years. They have twin 11-year-old boys (aka the twin tornadoes) and an 8 year old daughter who’s tougher than nails from, well, “tornado” chasing. Erin’s a former TV news anchor and reporter turned stay at home mom turned owner of a boutique public relations company, Savvy Media Marketing and Public Relations. Erin’s also a die-hard sports mom who loves cheering her kids on from the sidelines. Erin also loves to share A Little News & A Lotta Lifestyle, in her blog,Savvy Buzz.

5 COMMENTS

  1. Erin, thank you for being so brave to write and publish this. It takes courage to verbalize something like this. I know the scars are deep and I’m so sorry for this.
    It’s so hard to wrap my mind around the fact that people (and I say people because it’s not just kids, it’s adults too) can be so cruel. It’s not funny, it’s not nice, it’s not popular, it’s not acceptable! I know an adult that does this currently and it’s just not necessary! But I do know this…it is a flaw with them, not you or me. I think you know that, but this is the most important thing we have to stress with our kids. A bully will defer their feelings to someone else. IT’S SO WRONG! I have a daughter David’s age and a step son a year younger and I can’t imagine what David’s family is going through. It has to be stopped! I do believe it starts at home. All the bullies I know have that “home life” that causes this behavior. The adult I know now is not happy in her home life and shows her children that. She “acts out” in awful ways. Her children see this and do the same. They put someone else down to take the focus off of their flaws…or so they think. It’s got to be fixed at home. We have to show our children the way to treat people. We have to be kind. We have to put ourselves in each others shoes. You never know what someone else is going through. Would those kids have still acted this way if they truly knew how it made David feel? I was raised by the golden rule “Treat people the way you want to be treated”. I hopefully have shown my kids the same.
    My heart is broken for David’s family. The community is sadden by this tragedy. It has to stop.

    • Julie, thank you for being a part of our conversation. It most certainly does need to be an on-going one. I see the fire in other parents’ eyes since David’s death and part of me fears it will burn fiercely and then fade. We can’t allow it to fade. You make a fantastic point about the bully like behavior that adults exhibit too and strangely extend to other adults. I personally have noticed since my conversation with the other moms on the video I have been hyper conscious of what I say around my kids. I actually caught my husband – who is an amazing dad and person – but likes to joke around – I caught him poking fun at someone who was dressed slightly out of the norm. We talked about it – and I’m so glad we did – so we can change even the words or actions that may not have ill intent. Our kids are always watching – at every age. “Treat others the way you want to be treated” has to be written, said, told, communicated over and over in 2016. Julie, please feel free to share the video with others – as I hope the more people who see it and listen to some of what is said can make a difference. Together, we can. I have to believe that!

  2. Beautifully written. I have been so sad about David’s death. I, too was bullied back in high school . I worry about my children someday going through this and cannot imagine what it would be like , in this day and age, with social media. I do hope and pray some major change comes from this tragedy, but WHY does change almost always come AFTER such tragedy ? We, as parents, adults, have to help our kids, raise them in a loving environment and teach empathy and kindness.

    • Dawn, thank you for sharing. It is amazing isn’t it how those scars can resurface or never quite leave us. I agree social media has got to be key. My twin 12 year olds got their first phone (they have to share – ha, mean mom!) for Christmas this year and so I am now at this crucial point where my husband and I have to be totally on top of all they do, write, say, text etc. They asked for IG and after this week I told them no. I just really don’t think a 12 year old boy needs IG account. What on earth will they take pictures of? I think regular conversations – over and over, every chance we get has to happen. One thing all 5 of us moms in the video had in common – our talks with our kids happen most often in the car! To and from sports/activities and school – that can be a great time to hold their attention, check in on them, and look for teachable moments. Prayers for all of us. But I have to have faith that we can do this. We have to. Thank you, Dawn.

  3. Erin…Thank you for doing this…it is so important that we all stand together and make a difference.

    Bullying has got to stop and it starts in the home with us as Parent’s educating our children.

    Fantastic!

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