Four Eyes

'Four eyes' - A stupid insult to people who wear glasses, which makes no sense at all. But something I heard often while growing up.

I got my first pair of glasses when I was only four years old. Previous to that, I had to wear a patch over my right eye for a period in an effort to correct what was diagnosed as 'lazy eye.' Seems like the glasses have always been a part of who I am. As I matured and grew into adulthood, I never considered switching to contacts because a secondary condition ruled out that possibility. 

But, kids can be cruel sometimes when their only intent is to appear joking. It caused me to grow a thick skin very early in life. A thick skin that has served me well. Ignoring the taunts also taught me to believe in myself. A trait that gave me confidence to tackle challenges...challenges that I'd never entertained in my imagination.

Got me to wondering about all the hype these days about bullying.  At times, I was the target and, even though my memory is blank on that, I'm pretty sure I did my share of bullying. Seems like that was just part of growing up...that exchanging of sometimes hurtful remarks.

So why is it being viewed as such a serious problem? Why is being bullied so demeaning that it leads victims to take their lives as the only option they feel they have to stop it?

I  don't have an answer. But, being personally involved with a teenager who considered self-destruction an answer, I know bullying is a serious problem that needs to be exposed.