Ooooo. Something within me just churns and stirs. The hairs on my back stand up, my teeth visibly scowling, and my nails come out ready to attack when someone says or does something that hurts my baby sister. As her older sister, how I wish that I could step in there for her and fend off the hurtful words, absorb the insults and unfair treatment, act as a protective shield that will keep her from ever feeling the way she felt today when she came home from school.

It's hurtful when a stranger approaches and says something snotty and biting. But, you can shake it off and move on. It's even more hurtful when that someone is a teacher, a mentor, someone that you have trusted and that you look up to for guidance and help.

But, I can't do that for her. I won't be there with her all of the time...eventually she has to learn to cope and to choose when and how to respond to such acts. I can give her all of the advice in the world, but in the end it's up to her.