How many more will it take?

How many more children have to be bullied and or commit suicide before those who are supposed to say they know what’s best wake up and do what needs to be done? These bullies tell the ones they don’t like to just go kill themselves and the world will be better off without them or that once they kill themselves they’ll be in a better place and happier.

Wake up people! That’s all lies! With the children constantly playing the violent video games and watching the horror flicks, they get the idea that since the people on the games and in the movies don’t really die, but come back, they have the idea they will too. No one has shown them that once they are dead it’s all over with.

To the ones doing the bullying: Someone needs to show you too that death and suicide is for real and permanent. You think you’re having fun, but you fail to understand or don’t care about the damage you’re doing to the one you’re bullying. It doesn‘t show how cool or smart you are, in fact it shows just the opposite.

To the parents of the ones being bullied: I know since both parents have to work it’s hard to spend time getting to know your teen and what’s going on with them. Somehow it must be a priority. They need you now more than ever.

To the parents of the ones doing the bullying: You too need to get to know your child. There are reasons they are doing what they are. Inside they may be hurting over something that’s going on in their lives. Being bullies is probably their way of hiding what’s hurting them. Besides, it’s also possible they do this because they want others to be as miserable as they are.

I can say I don’t know how it feels to be in the place of the parent of the child being bullied or the one being bullied, but that doesn’t mean I can’t feel empathy for them. So, parents love your children no matter what their age. Teach them that these things are wrong and only hurt others including their own family.

I don’t know the family that lost their daughter, sister, or granddaughter, but a part of my family does. That’s all I need to know.

I have seen how the community has come together to support this family. To this I must say: good job. It is great to see people pull together to help this family in this upsetting and trying time. Hats off to those who have helped.

Marilyn Graffe is a retiree from Ephrata who is a mother of two, grandma of seven and great-grandma of five.