During the abuse I wished the time away. After it I suffered so much I wished away another four years of my life. Now I'm wishing away the days until the trial. Pretty soon I'l have wished my whole childhood away. The window to enjoy being a kid is closing so quickly. I only have two years of high school left. Then my youth will be over. Sometimes I feel just like Holden from "A Catcher In The Rye."

Bill,

Take some time to smell the roses. Get up and watch the sunrise, sunset, watch the birds feed their young, watch a child in the park interact with his mom or dad, read your favorite book or listen to your favorite music, cry over a sad movie or a happy one, play a game of ball, win an xbox game or give it your best and loose but smile 'cuz you had fun.

It's not too late to enjoy your youth. The future is still an unwritten page with no mistakes in it.

Lots of love,

John

I belive your youth stays with you inside your heart until its time for you to grow up, its never ever too late to enjoy youthfullness, and even when you do get older and dont feel so young anymore you can enjoy your childrens youth or even your nephews, cousins, or local youth clubs, youthhood can stay with you forever ya just gotta keep a tight hold on it...

Bill, I wish you all the luck in the world with your trial.

Bill,

I know what you mean about losing your youth. I never did the things a normal child or a teen does. I never dated or went out, I didn't go to the prom, I didn't get laid, I didn't have any friends, I didn't play sports, I kept entirely to myself and I stayed in my room every weekend until I finally moved out on my own. Did I miss out on life? Did I not experience life as it was meant because I didn't have the joys of youth? I don't think so.

It's true that I missed out on many things. But those things that I missed out on can not convince me that they are my happiness. Many people have those things and much more yet they are miserable. Why? Because they think the external can ultimately satisfy and bring happiness. It cannot. Things come and go all the time. All things have their end. Your external condition is not who you are. Peace comes from within your being.

Jesse