Proud of my girl

One of the things I love about small towns is that we know LOTS of people, and in turn, LOTS of people know us.  For instance, last week at Thomas's basketball practice, I was talking to someone who works as an aide in the school.  I had been off that day, but she mentioned to me that Catherine had been in trouble at lunch and was weeping.  She said apparently Catherine had been throwing grapes during lunch, but was clearly remorseful for her actions.  When I got home, I mentioned to Catherine that it's a small town and that I heard someone had been in trouble at lunch.  Tears began to fill her eyes when she mentioned it was her.  I asked what had happened and she said that she had been throwing food.  I asked why, and she said that Tracy (name changed) was making fun of Catherine's friend Lexi because Lexi had to go to court involving a family situation.  Lexi was crying and Catherine told Tracy to stop, but when she wouldn't, Catherine threw grapes at her.  I'll be honest, my eyes began to tear up as well.  I hugged her and told her that I was SO proud that she stuck up for her friend.  I was so proud that had stood up to Tracy (who is well known to not be a nice person) but that in the future, she needed to find a different way to express herself.  Catherine was crying again and kept nodding.

And I meant what I said, I was SO PROUD of my girl for standing up for Lexi.  Don't get me wrong...Lexi is not exactly who I would choose for my daughter's friend, but I don't get to choose.  And NO ONE deserves to be treated meanly, especially over what is undoubtedly a painful family situation if the courts are involved.  With everything mean and awful that seems to happen in schools every day, I was so proud of Catherine for trying to make it stop.