Mr. Dictator
A Chain-Smoking Fox
ok, this is a bit of a personal topic but i will post it here as both a realization i made and maybe to ask for some advice.
It all starts my 6th grade year. It was my first year at a new school and i was terrified. As i walked into the class for the first time i still remember the akward stares as i manuevered to an empty chair in the back of the room. I felt so alone and like an outsider.
Then as i sat down a kid sitting next to me said hi. His name was Nader and he was middle eastern, lebanese to be exact. "Hi", i said, never seeing a muslim before in my life until now. Thus started one of my first real friendships at my new school.
Well we were great friends during 6th grade and 7th grade until the first test (and last fatefully) to our friendship. It was one month into our 8th grade year. It was 9/11.
Sure it shocked everyone at first. We werent in the mood to hate each other due to the grief. But then the anger set in. And with it the mob mentality. And poor Nader was the biggest target in town. Imagine how much a muslim stood out in Middle Tennessee. Well i was still insecure about my social standing so when the crowds moved i followed. Well, i ruined it. Our friendship was over. I made fun of him in the lunch room, in the class, and whenever i was around a group and he walked by. But i will say it was never done when i was alone with him. i wasnt that big of a jerk (though i might've been a contender)
well recently i discovered that him and his family are stranded in Lebanon and i feel like a douche. i never apoligized these past 4 years. i meant to, trust me. its just that every time i was around him it was akward. but now it hits home. those 25,000 stranded americans arent just a statistic anymore. its 24,996 people i hope to return safe but 4 people that, if lost, i would never be able to forgive myself for. i know they will probably make it out fine, its just the thought of the contrary that terrifies me.
so, i sent his sister a message on myspace to ask for his number or aim so after they get back i can meet him again and apoligize.
i know its going to be akward but i think i'll find it cleansing. and im becoming more of a christian and i see this as something he wants.
so i guess i would like you all to know that a friendship is invaluable. dont ever ruin one for such trivial gain as a bit of a social boost.
i wish i wouldve known that 5 years ago
It all starts my 6th grade year. It was my first year at a new school and i was terrified. As i walked into the class for the first time i still remember the akward stares as i manuevered to an empty chair in the back of the room. I felt so alone and like an outsider.
Then as i sat down a kid sitting next to me said hi. His name was Nader and he was middle eastern, lebanese to be exact. "Hi", i said, never seeing a muslim before in my life until now. Thus started one of my first real friendships at my new school.
Well we were great friends during 6th grade and 7th grade until the first test (and last fatefully) to our friendship. It was one month into our 8th grade year. It was 9/11.
Sure it shocked everyone at first. We werent in the mood to hate each other due to the grief. But then the anger set in. And with it the mob mentality. And poor Nader was the biggest target in town. Imagine how much a muslim stood out in Middle Tennessee. Well i was still insecure about my social standing so when the crowds moved i followed. Well, i ruined it. Our friendship was over. I made fun of him in the lunch room, in the class, and whenever i was around a group and he walked by. But i will say it was never done when i was alone with him. i wasnt that big of a jerk (though i might've been a contender)
well recently i discovered that him and his family are stranded in Lebanon and i feel like a douche. i never apoligized these past 4 years. i meant to, trust me. its just that every time i was around him it was akward. but now it hits home. those 25,000 stranded americans arent just a statistic anymore. its 24,996 people i hope to return safe but 4 people that, if lost, i would never be able to forgive myself for. i know they will probably make it out fine, its just the thought of the contrary that terrifies me.
so, i sent his sister a message on myspace to ask for his number or aim so after they get back i can meet him again and apoligize.
i know its going to be akward but i think i'll find it cleansing. and im becoming more of a christian and i see this as something he wants.
so i guess i would like you all to know that a friendship is invaluable. dont ever ruin one for such trivial gain as a bit of a social boost.
i wish i wouldve known that 5 years ago
