Dear Maggie Downey

This post is a bit more on the serious side.  If you are here for a giggle, sorry to disappoint.  I have been doing a lot of reflecting lately and working on settling my karma debt to God, myself and to those that I have been less than kind to.  Most of the stuff I have done throughout my life was probably most damaging to myself and I have been able to apologize to most of the people that my actions have adversely affected except for one person that I have thought of almost daily for the last 28 years. 

I moved to a new school right before I began second grade.  The first day of Mrs. Prim's class in second grade I was nervous and wanted desperately to be liked.  I was the  new kid and still remember to this day how out of place I felt.  There was a girl in my class, Maggie Downey, who wore thick glasses and stood out as being different.  Nobody really ever wanted to sit by her.  I joined in the teasing so that I would fit in.  I remember saying she had cooties and scooting as far away from her as possible when I had to sit next to her at the lunch table.  This is random, but I remember a black mark that was on the ceiling of our lunch room that resembled a foot print. We used to say that was Maggie's footprint. It was mean and awful.  Even though I knew it was hurtful I still did it.  It is something that I think about almost everyday to this day.  Now that I have kids and most specifically a child in second grade I feel sick to my stomach when I think about the bullying behavior that I took part in.  I have no idea where Maggie Downey is now, but I sure wish I could apologize to her. Until I find her to apologize in person, this will have to do.


Dear Maggie Downey,

I am horrified at the things I said to you and the way I behaved towards you when we were in Mrs. Prim's second grade class back in 1982.  It has stuck with me every day to this day and rightfully so.  I am ashamed that I put you down in order to fit in and feel better about myself.  I can't imagine how you felt when you went home everyday from school and had to answer to your family how your day was.  I can't imagine how your parents felt when they heard that the children in your class were awful to you.  As a parent of young kids today I know that my heart breaks for my kids when they come home in tears and tell me that they had their feelings hurt.  To know that I partook in behavior that hurt another child in that same way is gut wrenching.  I am sorry beyond words for my actions and I know that 28 years later is way too long of a time to let go by without an apology, but I am offering you one.  

I don't know where this life has taken you, but I sure hope that it has brought you wonderful things and kind, loving people who surround you.  I know that God has special plans for us all.  I just hope that yours were more special that the rest of ours.  Lord only knows that you deserve it. 

Maggie Downey, I hope to one day get the opportunity to apologize to you in person.  I look forward to making amends.  I am sorry for everything I ever put you through and I really, reallyhope to be able to make it up to you. 

Sincerely,

Cyndi Adams Davis