Today Dynamo, Olivia, and I attended a program for families who have lost loved ones-for a variety of reasons.  We were invited as part of our therapy dog membership, however,for us. there was another valuable part.  We lost my daughter Nikki about 21 months ago and we can relate to the feelings that these family members have.  The workshop was great and valuable.  A positive part that came out of the program was how much bullying can relate to bullying and to being bullied.  Parents may become overwhelmed by grief and retreat from the living-not because they want to, but because that is the only way they can survive.  Siblings may be in so much pain that they strike out as a bully as a way of dealing with the pain, or they can retreat and become meek and therefore targets for the bully.  Quite frankly, I had not thought a lot about this aspect of bullying until today, but it really makes sense.  I am hoping that we can use the program to help in this area and offer support and help to families who are grieving so that they do not become further victimized.  Please share any ideas you may have about this aspect of bullying.