In sixth grade I was bigger than all of the girls. I was made fun of a lot, every day I would go home crying, asking my mom why I couldn't be skinny like the girls I went to school with; asking her why they hated me. It was really a terrible year all the way through. Once summer came around, something made me snap. I can't remember exactly what, maybe I was just so fed up with being the person people picked on to make themselves better. So done with coming home upset, crying at the sight in the mirror because I felt not good enough. Over the summer, I was determined to lose the weight. I thought, well maybe then everyone will like me...right?
I spent most of the summer working out. Running everyday, eating right. I didn't hang out with anyone because I was so focussed. At one point I was down 15 pounds, which was a huge accomplishment for me. I was so proud of myself.
On the 4th of July, my whole family went on vacation. Grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins- everyone I knew was there. Most of them were so proud of me, complimenting me and making me feel good about everything I had accomplished. Everyone, except the most important person in my life... my grandmother.
She came up to me and told me she could tell that I had been working hard, and she was wondering why I was doing that. I told her that I wanted more friends, and no one wanted to talk to me, or even be my friend if I was fat. A tear rolled down her face as she told me the sentence that still replays in my head today. she said:
"Karlie, who are you doing this for?"
That was a good question, and that's a question I will never forget. I wasn't doing it for myself. I was doing it for them; I was letting the bullies win. And for what? So they won't make fun of me? That wasn't fair. So, at that instant, I started doing things for myself. I started putting myself first, which ultimately is the only thing that matters. Now I'm comfortable in my own skin, and I couldn't be happier. So I'd like to say thank you to everyone who's ever made fun of me, but most of all, I'd like to thank my grandmother. She made me realize that I didn't need to please anyone. This is me, and if someone doesn't like it, then that's their opinion and I won't let it affect me.