"Lesbo", "frapist" , "lassie" , these were just some of the names I was called while in my fifth and sixth grade year.  I remember going to school with knots in my stomach wondering what sort of harassment I would have to face that day.  Somedays were more tolerable than others. .. Somedays I'd start to see some glimmer of hope that would say, " hmmm maybe they WANT to be my friend" but my hopes were constantly being dashed and my heart trampled upon.  There was another girl at my school who also was a red head and had been teased most of her life although sometimes I felt like she brought it upon herself.   I had boys calling me at my home. .teasing me about starting my period at school. ...I tell you what,  there were somedays I just didn't want to go to school again. If it hadn't been for my Mom and my one best friend who were always reassuring me that I had value. .. and that I mattered, I have no idea if I would have made it.  Today I still battle insecurity and the feeling of NOT fitting in.   But I also have Christ in my life now and that has made a HUGE difference!   Now I know where My identity comes from and how much I do matter regardless of what people say to me or how they make me feel.   I plan on pasding this on to my two children one of which is a high functioning autistic boy. I believe their futures are bright!