I second Terry's sentiments. We have all at some point in our childhoods been guilty by association or inaction of some form. It never really leaves us and gnaws at us as we age. Thanks for telling your story.

I can only imagine how your experience shaped your own children, eventually. They truly benefit from your difficult lesson. I'll bet they've heard that story, or a version of it, many times.

Wow! Thank you Sandy for sharing such a powerful story. I remember those bullies from my childhood although I can't remember them being quite so violent. It's scary how mean kids can be and I get sick thinking that my daughter may have to face the sort of stuff we went through when we were young.

You shared a very valuable lesson that is wise for all of us to always remember!

What an awful burden to have carried so long. A very sobering lesson indeed. I'm glad you let it out, both for the reminder to all of us to watch each other's backs, and for the release I hope it gave you.

Thanks for sharing such a hard memory - it's a good reminder for all of us to be kinder to one another - even as adults.

how brave of you to share. It is amazing how cruel kids can be to each other especially those who are different. It was a very hard lesson for you to learn but it is also important that you never forgot it. O bet many actions throughout your life have been shaped by having learned this lesson at such a young age and in such a painful way.

That is an incredible story. I'm not sure what I would have done as a child. It takes a very strong person to "do the right thing". {{{HUGS}}}

Sandy, what a horrible thing to witness. I wonder what my kids would do in a situation like that- it's easy as an adult to tell them what they *should* do, but as a scared, little girl....much, much harder. When you remember that experience, try not to be too hard on that little girl from way back- she did turn out to be a wonderful grown woman who has done lots of good in her grown up life. :)

Wow, Sandy. What a thing to have carried with you all these years. You have to remember you were just a child. I'd feel the same way though so I understand.

I really admire that you were able to tell us this story. As a naturally kindhearted and empathetic person, that must have been an even more difficult day for you than words on a page can suggest...

Oh my word.... Thank you for sharing such a heart-wrenching story. So many lessons in memories.

Thanks for the reminder.

oh, Sandy. It sucked being the brunt of the mean kids taunts. I know the feeling, too.

Big, big hugs for you. Thanks for sharing this ... it did, indeed, bring tears to my eyes.

Jen

Oh Sandy, ((hugs)) that's all I can say. Thanks for sharing.

Big hugs, honey. What a beautiful, moving story. Sad to say, we've all been there as kids.

I just love you.
xoxoxo

Sandy, thanks for sharing such a well told story. If I could absolve you of your guilt, I'd do it in a heartbeat, and shift the blame to the parents who somehow taught those other children that their behavior was acceptable. The shame belongs on them.

Awww, honey, I'm crying! What a painful way to learn a lesson. I knew "those" kids, too, and they were scary - not to be trifled with. Thank you so much for sharing. We love you!

Sandy, thank you for sharing your "
e" story with us.

That is a sad and meaningful story. It really does show that karma is a powerful thing. I am sure that was a hard lesson to learn at such a young age.

wow.

Wow, Sandy. Wow. I admire you for sharing such a moving and powerful story. You are an amazing woman because of that story... learning and growing, never forgetting, sharing. Thank you.

Moved to tears. So sweet of you to share.

A very moving and powerful story. Thank you so much for sharing. And may Elaine be living a wonderful life, wherever she is.

Wow, San. You put a choke in my throat. I know how these things NEVER.STOP.HURTING, and we will go a long time, maybe, not thinking about them, and then remember them, what 30 years later? and still feel the heat in our cheeks and the lump in our throats. Powerful stuff.

I wonder if this is "Sharing Week." I have run out of things to blog, and I was thinking of sharing the beginnings of a short story I started years ago. I'm going to go see if I can find it. I know that it was lost when my hard drive crashed, but hopefully I have it backed up or typed somewhere. You've given me the courage with this story, I want you to know. XO

Sandy, you've left me lost for words. You are a complete and utter sweetheart, seriously. I know the story hurts your heart, but thank you so much for telling it.

Thank you for sharing this story. Many of us have haunting dramas from our past coming to us throughout life. At least you learned the lesson the story had to tell, many people do not.

Wow, Sandy; what a powerful story. It hurt to read it, and I know it hurt to write and relive it. Thank you, though, for sharing.

And how terrible that those bullies actually broke her kneecap. I don't remember playground bullying going beyond pushing in my neighborhood. That was a pack of animals there. Don't take their guilt on you; yes, accept responsibility as you've so frankly & publicly done, for the looking away that we've all done too (usually without being confronted with any consequences of our [in]action as you were) but not for *their* brutal actions.
Tears here for both of you.

What a powerful E. Thank you for sharing it with us, Sandy. ♥

I'm a little at a loss for words. I want to tell you that this story brought tears to my eyes. Your poignant telling of it was spot on. I could picture every scene and feel the emotion all around. A lesson learned, but probably not a memory that is easy to live with, no matter how long you live. We all have such moments and your sharing brings them back. I think too, because we are about the same age, that I can see it all and remember the same kids. This is a great post.

Oh, Sandy, what a hard lesson to learn! Kids can be so mean to each other, but that level of violence? Who would have expected that?

And, I agree. It was brave of you to post this story!

Wow, Sandy. I admire your honesty in telling the story. It's a powerful one.

Thanks for sharing a life-altering lesson. It must have been hard to deal with then and it must be a hard story to tell now. You were brave to put it out there for us.

Truly a very moving "E" story ~ Thank you so much for sharing a lesson that I personally need to be reminded of occasionally.