Sticks and Stones May Break My Bones ...

 But words will never hurt me.

That has got to be one of the most ridiculous sayings from childhood.  Of course words hurt, they can hurt really badly.  I wasn't teased often in school as a child but when someone said something cruel I felt that gripping pain inside my chest and my head told me a lot of things that allowed me to believe in its truth.  Now as a mother, knowing my children are faced with bullies brings it to a different level of pain for me.  I don't like it but I try to teach them to ignore those kids and focus on the beauty they truly possess from God.  My kids are both small for their age and they hear about it all the time from peers.  Yesterday my daughter said as she walks the hallways of middle school the seventh and eighth graders are always commenting on her size.  My son has also heard comments and I'm sure it's even harder for a boy to be small.  

For dance competition, my daughter chose the song "Mean Girls" by Leanna Crawford.  A few years ago we heard it on the radio and she immediately said, "I want to dance to this for a solo."  She was just starting out in competitive dance with a goal of one day performing a solo.  This year when she was picked to do one this was her top choice.  It has meaning to her but I know it has meaning to a lot of others, as well.  

I never could grasp the purpose of bullying but as I get older I'm realizing so much.  Hurt people hurt people.  People who are struggling with their own identity hurt people.  People who have been bullied themselves bully others.  People believe in order to build up their own confidence they have to put others down.  None of it is excusable but it's well understood.  

My daughter was able to showcase her solo performance on stage at this year's winter show.  She did it beautifully.  She proved that the size of a person's body is not what defines us.  She was able to move through each motion with as much grace and flexibility as the taller dancers.  It is with hope that as she performs in this year's competitions that those sitting in the audience will be able to hear the words from the song and take something from it.  Hurtful words are not okay.  

MEAN GIRLS

by Leanna Crawford

Mean girls don't remember what they said

Well, it's funny 'cause I can't seem to forget

Their whispers opened up the door

To a world called insecure

No, mean girls don't remember what they said

Stick and stones may break my bones

But no one ever warned me about words

I smile and I pretend it doesn't hurt

But the older that I get, it just gets worse

Lord, find me and remind me that my worth

Is worth so much more than their words

The little girl inside that picture frame

Was smiling 'cause she never heard of shame

But now mean girls are the reason why

I change my clothes a thousand times

Before I walk out the door

Stick and stones may break my bones

But no one ever warned me about words

I smile and I pretend it doesn't hurt

But the older that I get it just gets worse

Lord, find me and remind me that my worth

Is worth so much more than their words

You say I'm more than their words

So much more than their words

I smile and I pretend it doesn't hurt

But the older that I get it just gets worse

I need to you find me and remind me that my worth

Is worth so much more than their words