In my new novel, Town of Angels, I decided to write a theme about bullying. I self reflected a lot as I wrote daily. I have never written my own account of bullying until now. For now more than ever is the time to step forward and make a statement not in fiction form but in truth. In high school there was a boy I’ll name Luke. He pestered me, yelled at me in the hallways and gave me dirty looks and told people vicious lies about me. I was friends with his girlfriend and he was jealous. I had little self esteem at the time due to unfortunate circumstances in my family and so I didn’t know how to handle it. There was no parent, teacher or counselor to help me yet I always knew God and his angels were there somewhere. I was so afraid of Luke I would never call him on his behavior. Instead, I took another route. I went on striving to do things I never thought  possible. I graduated college, grad school and had a blessed family. I was a Special Education teacher for twenty-five precious years. I’ve written three books and love helping as a volunteer for Love House Kids Program in Phoenix. I’ve come along way from the underachieving sensitive girl who let the bully in to hurt me. In reflection, I was always protected by the magnificent  love that comes from above. I hope to leave the earth as the best human being I can possibly become. You see, in Town of Angels, the bully doesn’t win of course. For love is more powerful than hate and loving yourself enough to pull through any unkindness can beat any bully at his game. Kindness, joy, hope and love are the enduring messages from the angels.