RIP Amanda Michelle Todd - November 27, 1996 - October 10, 2012

In her life Amanda Todd suffered at the hands of bullies who stalked her and harassed her, in an ordeal that started in cyberspace and spilled into the schoolyard.

Before she died at the age of 15, Amanda created a video telling of her painful experiences in the hope of saving other youths such suffering.

"I'm not doing this for attention. I'm doing this to be an inspiration and to show that I can be strong," Amanda wrote.

Her dream of helping kids is being carried on in the Amanda Todd Legacy, established by her family. This initiative will raise money for anti-bullying education and for support programs to help young people with mental health problems.

Despite growing awareness about the potentially devastating consequences of bullying, advocates working to combat the problem say they're badly in need of financial support.

The Todd family knows Amanda would want to help, to see her mission carried on.

"Amanda was a very caring individual. She would help others who needed help," Amanda's mother Carol told the Vancouver Sun. "One of Amanda's goals was to get her message out there and have it used as a learning tool for others."

It is a message that must be heard; a message aimed at ending bullying.

"We as adults have to pay attention to it. We have to recognize when we see it happening, and then once we see it happening we have to address it properly," British Columbia Premier Christy Clark told the Vancouver Sun in an interview following Amanda's death. "I don't believe for a second that anyone who is bullied doesn't want to report the fact that they were bullied; they don't trust that the people to whom they'll report it will use the information in a way that's going to protect them."

As reported by the Vancouver Sun, "In putting together her video, which Amanda did all on her own, Carol said her daughter wanted to help other young people who are being bullied and to bring attention and education to the problem in the hope of seeing it eradicated."

"I have lost one child but know she wanted her story to save 1,000 more."

For more information please visit:

https://vancouverfoundation.ca/Amanda/donateonline.asp 

"Goodbye, my friend, goodbye"

Goodbye, my friend, goodbye
My love, you are in my heart.
It was preordained we should part
And be reunited by and by.
Goodbye: no handshake to endure.
Let's have no sadness — furrowed brow.
There's nothing new in dying now
Though living is no newer.

by Sergei Aleksandrovich Esenin

Original in Russian:

До свиданья, друг мой, до свиданья. Милый мой, ты у меня в груди. Предназначенное расставанье Обещает встречу впереди.

До свиданья, друг мой, без руки, без слова, Не грусти и не печаль бровей,- В этой жизни умирать не ново, Но и жить, конечно, не новей.

ne033x notes

Written in his own blood, and given to a friend the day before he hanged himself, or so it is assumed.

A Crystal Meth Poem

If my glamorous lifestyle is appealing to you.

And you want to try me because you've nothing to lose.

Then, let me give you a bit of advice.

You are a fool. And you'd better think twice.

I destroy homes. I tear families apart.

I take your children and that's just the start.

I'm more valued than diamonds.

More precious than gold.

The sorrow I bring is a sight to behold.

If you need me, remember; I'm easily found.

I live all around you. In school and in town.

I live with the rich. I live with the poor.

I live just down the road. And maybe next door.

I'm made in a lab, but not in one like you think.

I can be made under your kitchen sink.

Or in your child's closet and even out in the woods.

If this scares you to death, It certainly should.

I have many names, one you'll know best.

I'm sure you've heard of me. My name's Crystal Meth.

My power is awesome. Try me you'll see.

But if you do, You may never break free.

Just try me once and I might let you go.

But if you try me twice, then I own your soul.

When I posses you, You'll steal and lie.

You'll do what you have to Just to get high.

The crimes you'll commit, For my narcotic charms

Will be worth the pleasure, You'll feel in my arms.

You'll lie to your mother. You'll steal from your dad.

When you see their tears you must not feel sad.

Just forget your morals and how you were raised.

I'll be your conscious. I'll teach you my ways.

I take kids from their parents. I take parents from kids.

I turn people from God. I separate friends.

I'll take everything from you; Even your good looks and your pride.

I'll be with you always. Right here by your side.

You'll give up everything; Your family, your home

Your money, your friends, You'll be all alone.

I'll take and I'll take 'Til you've no more to give.

When I'm finished with you, you'll be lucky to live.

If you try me be warned: THIS IS NOT A GAME.

If I'm given the chance, I'll drive you insane.

I'll ravage your body. I'll control your mind.

I'll own you completely. Your soul will be mine.

The nightmares I'll give you when your lying in bed.

And the voices you'll hear from inside your head.

The sweats, the shakes, and the visions you'll see.

I want you to know: These are your gifts from me.

By then it's to late and you'll know in your heart

That you are now mine, And we shall not part.

You'll regret that you tried me. (They always do.)

Remember, you came to me. Not I, to you.

You knew this would happen. How many times were you told?

But you challenged my power. You chose to be bold.

You could have said "No" and then walked away.

If you could live that day over now, what would you say?

My power is awesome as I told you before.

I can take your mother and turn her into a whore.

Go ahead and curse me with every breath.

Just make your choice: Will it be life or meth?

You will take unknown paths on your journey through life.

Some will bring happiness. Some will bring strife.

But, my path is one you must not ever cross.

Although it's well trodden countless lives have been lost.

Now that you've met me, what will you do?

Will you try me or not? It's all up to you.

I can show you more misery than words can tell.

Come, take my hand. Let me lead you to Hell.

Meth Kills!!

Loss

Sometimes we have something

Without truly knowing

What we have



Sometimes we hold something

Without knowing completely

What we hold



Sometimes we are given something

Without fully appreciating

What we are given



But that knowledge usually comes

When we realize

What we have lost



-Javan