Pieces of Me

I babysat a little boy several months ago,
When I'd say, "It's bedtime," he always pleaded, "No!"
I still remember everything we did so well,
I'd let him stay up late then whisper, "I won't tell!"

We usually made cookies, or at least we'd try,
They would burn, and we'd laugh 'til we'd cry!
Movies, popcorn, pillow fights and Nintendo,
Beanie Babies were another favorite, from the 'Ty' Co.

His role model was Superman, how he loved him, too!
No one could've known what this boy would do.
He always brought joy into so many lives.
Why? Oh, why would he have to die?

He loved to play baseball, and sing in the choir,
But he had to give them up because his muscles would tire.
Still, he kept on smiling, through the pain, of course, 
Even when he took a turn for the worse.

After treatments failed and several weeks went by
Home at last, he came...perhaps to die.
Family and friends brought a lot of gifts
And then one day my sister and I went over for a visit.

We watched one of his favorite movies, called Child's Play.
The last time that I saw him was on that day.
Imagine yourself at ten years old meeting your fate.
His whole family was with him on this sad date.

They all hugged him and said not to be scared
They told stories and memories that they all had once shared
He is an angel now, in a much better place
And I doubt that anybody will ever forget his smiling face.

Now he is home, and at peace once more
How I wish that I could come once again to his door
I will not forget him, I don't think I ever can
He was a real-life hero...my little Superman.

- KariAnne McCaffrey

Sometimes life can be a pain
When your life stays the same
I've had cancer not once but twice
And it isn't very nice.

I hate cancer really a lot
It ties my life up in a knot
Sometimes I think the doctors lie
At times I think I'm going to die.

Before I end up in a coffin
I'll do my fun things soon and often
I had my transplant - it wasn't fun
It's hard to believe that I'm finally done.

Sometimes I wish I could roll over and die
Now I think I'm going to cry
When you're there you have to roll with the punches
Especially when it comes to their nasty lunches.

When I went to receive what my dad had to give
I was the second to do it, but the first to live
It was hard for us all - it could make you hysterical
But if you think about it...I'm a living miracle.

- Ryan Alexander

I thought she was my best friend
The best one I've ever had
Instead I found out the truth
And what I learned was sad.

We still call each other friends 
But I feel we're far apart
Though we see each other every day
I have a broken heart.

She has made new friends
And I have made some, too.
We are talking less and less
And inside I'm cold and blue.

Each and every night I pray
That she will finally see
How much I want our friendship back
And how much she means to me.

- Whitney M. Baldwin

Excerpt from The Blank Page:

"There is so much more to life than cross-country meets, soccer games, and the transformation from middle-schooler to high-schooler. What matters most is what you make of your life. If how you feel from day-to-day is based up what others think and how they judge you, then your life has no basis. If you are a person who wakes up in the morning and dreads the day ahead, then your life has no meaning.

However, if you wake up every morning eager to start the new day, then your life has meaning, for it has a purpose. My life certainly has a purpose. Every day is a struggle to survive: building new friendships, fixing old ones, learning how to deal with complicated emotions and accepting new surroundings. I find that every day is a journey of finding out who and what you are.

I believe that the question "what is the meaning of life" is too broad. I don't think that anyone will ever truly discover the exact reason why we were put here and what we must do now that we are here. Personally, I do not care to discover the reason. I prefer to leave each day to its own devices.

Every day is an adventure in discovering the meaning of life. It is each little thing that you do that day - whether it be spending time with your friends, running in a cross-country race or just simply staring at the crashing ocean - that holds the key to discovering the meaning of life. I would rather be out enjoying these simple things than pondering them. We may never really discover the meaning of life, but the knowledge we gain in our quest to discover it is truly more valuable."

- Jenni Norman

It was right before the big one and the football player said,
"Excuse me guys for just a sec while I go bow my head."
And in the quiet of that room
The football player prayed,
"Oh God if nothing hear me now
I know that fate is made."

"So help us Lord to win this game,
It's the big one, man, you see,
If we lose this game that's it for us,
Please do this, Lord, for me."

And as his body knelt in prayer,
He looked up to the sky,
"And while I'm here, and have some time,
I need to ask you why?"

"They say you never help teams win,
Just do it once I pray,
We will pay you back in kinder deeds
Or in another way."

"The reason I can't help you win,"
The Lord just then replied,
"Is as you're asking me to win,
So is the other side."

"I'm everybody's father and
I must not take one side,
So games are played all on your own
Or they would all be tied."

"But that doesn't mean you shouldn't pray,"
He answered him with care,
"You can pray that players don't get hurt
And that all the calls are fair."

"And then I won't just watch the game,
I'll bless it with my care,
Because dear son you need to learn
That life's not always fair."

And while the player heard this voice,
He bowed his head in prayer,
"I pray for fairness," said the boy
"And for your tender care."

"You shall be blessed," the Lord replied,
"Your team and you the same,
And now will you excuse me boy,
I cannot miss this game."

- Sandy Dow Mapula

I run my fastest
But still get beat.
I land on my head
When I should be on my feet.
I try to move forward,
But I am stuck in rewind.
Why do I keep at it?
I won't be left behind.

The harder I am thrown,
The higher I bounce.
I give it my all,
And that's all that counts.
In first place,
Myself, I seldom find.
So I push to the limit - 
I won't be left behind.

Some people tell me you can't,
Some say don't.
Some simply give up.
I reply, I won't.
The power is here,
locked away in my mind.
My perseverance is my excellence,
I won't be left behind.

Make the best of each moment,
The future is soon the past.
The more I tell myself this,
The less I come in last.
Throughout my competitions,
I've learned what winning is about.
A plain and clear lesson - 
Giving up is the easy way out.

So every night before I go to bed,
I hope in a small way I have shined.
Tomorrow is a brand-new day,
And I won't be left behind.

- Sara Nachtman

When I resolve into the essence
That I most truly am,
I feel a deep connection
With every living thing.
For that which most imbues me
With my identity 
Is somehow in the other, too,
So that when I look around
I see myself - reflected.
Hidden in this union
Is the wonderful discovery
That if indeed the angels
Have wings - 
Then so do I.
And if the essence of a flower
Drifts out on a gentle breeze - 
Then so do I.
And if the midnight sky
Is radiant with light - 
Then so am I.
And if the silent mystery
Somehow becomes revealed
In tiny dewdrops fair - 
Then so will I.
For every lovely thing
Manifests the essence
Of which I am a part,
So beware, my soul, beware,
And move with gentle heart
Throughout this mystic veil.
For if Love has left its imprint here - 
Then so have I!

- Donna Miesbach

Wonder, to me, is a good place to be.
It helps you to think, it helps you to see.
Life's full of twists and turns will abound,
But wonder and insight can guide you around.
Explore what you may and fill up your mind,
And hold in your heart the mysteries you find.
Wonder is only saying you yearn
To know and select the things that you learn,
And making a choice in which way you turn.
The best path you take will always be right,
'Cause if you were wrong, you CAN make it right.
Each new step you take when you listen and hear
Will give you more courage and freedom from fear.
So wonder my child, rid of your doubt,
And you will rejoice with how you turn out.
And though you may fall and struggle, too,
Know that I've been there, and will always love you.

- Jill Thieme

It's hard to get from here to there
If you never get out of bed.
You lie a lot to fool your friends
But you fooled yourself instead.

It's harder to get from here to there
If you set your goals too high;
Then nothing ever works out right;
Too soon, you no longer try.

But the hardest way to get from here to there
Is when all you ever do
Is count up the years, and miles to go.
Then you're through before you're through.

So how do you get from here to there?
Well, you first must believe you can
Let no one tell you differently - 
It's your life and it's in your hands.

Then turn your dreams into your goals
And see what you need now
To satisfy the requirements:
The why, the where and how.

At first you're overwhelmed, of course;
There is so much you don't know.
But keep your faith, be strong and sure,
For you do have a way to go.

Take careful steps and do them right,
Take pride in each thing done.
Don't look too far ahead of yourself,
Just that next step yet to come.

Before you know it you'll be there, friend,
Your dream will then be real.
And you'll be standing where I am now,
Telling others how good it feels.

You'll tell them not to quit themselves,
To have faith, though it's hard to bear.
So they will know it can be done - 
They, too, can get from here to there.

- Jennings Michael Burch

• Don't drink grape juice while wearing a white shirt and driving to school.
• Don't let your life wait for other people.
• Dropping a cellular phone into a bathtub of water kinda kills the phone.
• Your mother will find out if you dye your hair purple.
• You haven't really lived until you've gotten a 48 on an Advanced Placement U.S. History test.
• Don't ever fall in love with someone who is more than one thousand miles away from you. It usually doesn't work.
• Milk crates make boring pets.
• If it hurts, DON'T DO IT AGAIN!
• That which does not kill you will ultimately make you stronger.
• Speaking in public gets easier with practice.
• Don't sprint around a pool if you're trying to impersonate Jim from Huck Finn.
• Ten years from now most of what we freak out about won't make any difference.
• All that's gold doesn't glisten.
• Zits always pop up when you really can't afford for them to pop up.
• Always stay after class because that's where connections are made.
• When in doubt, duck. When certain, don't bother, 'cause you're already screwed.
• While driving a car through a gate, always, ALWAYS make sure the gate is open! The consequences might be fatal to your car.
• If you're not living (I mean really living), you're dead already.
• Never pierce your belly button in the dark.
• Just because someone flirts with you incessantly doesn't necessarily mean he or she likes you.
• If your calculus teacher tells you to quit talking after a test or he'll give you a zero for your test grade, he means it. Really.
• Sometimes smart people can do very, very stupid things.
• Being nice to people will get you far.
• The one person you can truly love is often right in front of you.
• Never, ever, EVER let a member of the opposite sex make you compromise your standards. Never.
• Nothing is ever too good to be true (said by Michael Faraday).
• If you start to like a girl, her roommate will immediately start liking you.
• Parents aren't around forever, and you need to treasure them while they are.
• Don't take the SAT twice if you already have a good score in the first place.
• Never do something if the risk is greater than the reward.
• Think carefully before you act.
• Dreaming and doing go hand in hand.
• Life moves fast, but not so fast that you can't slow down to enjoy it.
• Instead of waiting for life to get better, do something about it.
• You REALLY should do what needs to be done NOW, and not later. Procrastination is the easiest way, but not the most profitable.
• If your intuition is telling you not to do something, then don't. Your intuition is not stupid!
• Cereal is a vital staple food for all college students. Who cares how ridiculous you look eating it at 7:30 pm?
• If he doesn't respect you, then he's not worth any of your time.
• Learn to play an electric guitar: young women really dig it.
• Don't juggle knives unless you're really, really good at it.
• If at first you don't succeed, try again. Then give up. No sense being ridiculous about it.
• Sticking things up your nose isn't the smartest idea in the world.
• You can't light fireworks in the basement and not get caught.
• Hair is flammable. Very flammable.
• Never ever trust your friend with a pair of scissors against your hair.
• Dyeing hair strawberry blond that is already strawberry blond makes it turn strawberry pink.
• White dogs and black pants don't mix.
• God doesn't make junk!
• Someday you will look back on this and it will all seem funny.
• You never know when you're making a memory.
• The heart does heal and you will love like this again - except that when you do, you'll deny that you ever loved like this before.
• Nothing matters if you don't have loved ones to share it with. Your siblings are incredibly precious. If you don't know this now, you will - trust me!
• If you can laugh at yourself, you are going to be fine.
• If you allow others to laugh with you, you'll be great!
• Kissing is the most fun thing. Dancing is almost as fun.

- Meredith Rowe

I have to live with myself, and so
I want to be fit for myself to know
I want to be able as days go by
Always to look myself straight in the eye;
I don't want to stand, with the setting sun,
And hate myself for things I have done.
I don't want to keep on a closet shelf
A lot of secrets about myself,
And fool myself, as I come and go,
Into thinking that nobody else will know
The kind of man I really am;
I don't want to dress myself up in sham.
I want to go out with my head erect,
I want to deserve all man's respect;
And here in the struggle for fame and wealth,
I want to be able to like myself.
I don't want to look at myself and know
That I am a bluffer, an empty show.
I can never hide myself from me:
I see what others may never see,
I know what others may never know;
I never can fool myself, and so,
Whatever happens, I want to be 
Self-respecting and guilt-free.

- Peer Counsellor Workbook

He stood among his friends from school,
He joined their childhood games
Laughing as they played kickball
And when they called poor Sarah names.
Sarah was unlike the rest;
She was slow and not as smart,
And it would seem to all his friends
She was born without a heart.
And so he gladly joined their fun
Of making Sarah cry.
But somewhere deep within his heart,
He never knew just why.
For he could hear his mother's voice,
Her lessons of right and wrong
Playing over and over inside his head
Just like a favorite song.
"Treat others with respect, son,
The way you'd want them treating you.
And remember, when you hurt others,
Someday, someone might hurt you."
He knew his mother wouldn't understand
The purpose of their game
Of teasing Sarah, who made them laugh
As her own tears fell like rain.
The funny faces that she made
And the way she'd stomp her feet
Whenever they mocked the way she walked
Or the stutter when she'd speak.
To him she must deserve it
Because she never tried to hide.
And if she truly wanted to be left alone,
Then she should stay inside.
But every day she'd do the same:
She'd come outside to play,
And stand there, tears upon her face,
Too upset to run away.
The game would soon be over
As tears dropped from her eyes,
For the purpose of their fun
Was making Sarah cry.
It was nearly two whole months
He hadn't seen his friends.
He was certain they all must wonder
What happened and where he'd been
So he felt a little nervous
As he limped his way to class.
He hoped no one would notice,
He prayed no one would ask
About that awful day:
The day his bike met with a car,
Leaving him with a dreadful limp
And a jagged-looking scar.
So he held his breath a little
As he hobbled into the room,
Where inside he saw a "Welcome Back" banner
And lots of red balloons.
He felt a smile cross his face
As his friends all smiled, too
And he couldn't wait to play outside - 
His favorite thing to do.
So the second that he stepped outdoors
And saw his friends all waiting there,
He expected a few pats on the back - 
Instead, they all stood back and stared.
He felt his face grow hotter
As he limped to join their side
To play a game of kickball
And of making Sarah cry.
An awkward smile crossed his face
When he heard somebody laugh
And heard the words, "Hey freak,
Where'd you get the ugly mask?"
He turned, expecting Sarah,
But Sarah could not be seen.
It was the scar upon his own face
That caused such words so mean.
He joined in their growing laughter,
Trying hard not to give in
To the awful urge inside to cry
Or the quivering of his chin.
They are only teasing,
He made himself believe.
They are still my friends;
They'd never think of hurting me.
But the cruel remarks continued
About the scar and then his limp.
And he knew if he shed a single tear
They'd label him a wimp.
And so the hurtful words went on,
And in his heart he wondered why.
But he knew without a doubt
The game would never end, until they made him cry.
And just when a tear had formed,
He heard a voice speak out from behind.
"Leave him alone you bullies,
Because he's a friend of mine."
He turned to see poor Sarah,
Determination on her face,
Sticking up for one of her own tormentors
And willing to take his place.
And when his friends did just that,
Trying their best to make poor Sarah cry,
This time he didn't join in,
And at last understood exactly why.
"Treat others with respect, son,
The way you'd want them treating you.
And remember, when you hurt others,
Someday, someone might hurt you."
It took a lot of courage
But he knew he must be strong,
For at last he saw the difference
Between what's right and wrong.
And Sarah didn't seem so weird
Through his understanding eyes.
Now he knew he'd never play again
The game of making Sarah cry.
It took several days of teasing
And razzing from his friends,
But when they saw his strength,
They chose to be like him.
And now out on the playground,
A group of kids meets every day
For a game of kickball and laughter
And teaching their new friend, Sarah, how to play.

- Cheryl L. Costello-Forshey

I remember a time when each day was long, 
When the world was a playground and my life a song,
And I fluttered through years with barely a care,
Ignoring the future and what waited there.

School was intriguing and filled with delights.
I played away daytimes and dreamed away nights.
My parents assured me I had nothing to fear,
And that no matter what happened, they'd always be there.

Little I knew of a world outside home,
Where tragedy, sorrow, and murder could roam.
All I saw were blue skies, rainbows, and stars.
I looked past destruction of buildings and cars.

As a child, my biggest concern was just me;
I had to be happy, I had to be free.
And if I was content, I would not shed a tear,
And no matter what happened, I still would be here.

But as I grow up, darkness starts to set in;
My bright world has turned into concrete and tin.
I now see the violence I looked past before;
My friends start to die and my heart hits the floor.

Deadly diseases claim people I love,
There are landfills below me, pollution above.
I often think back to when life was a game.
But no matter what happens, it can't be the same.

There are days when I just want to break down and howl,
To give up completely, to throw in the towel,
But I hold my head high and I push my way through.
I have too much to give and so much to do.

And I make a vow that, though it'll be hard,
I'll go on with a smile and play every card.
I'll give all I can, help others and love.
No matter what happens, life will bloom again,
And the strength I don't have will come from above.

So come, take my hand, and through darkness we will sail - 
If we all join together, we never can fail.
We'll remember to care, remember to feel,
And no matter what happens, our world we will heal.

- Alison Mary Forbes

It's tough to be a teenager, no one really knows
What the pressure is like in school, this is how it goes.

I wake up every morning, and stare into this face
I wanna be good lookin', but I feel like a disgrace.

My friends they seem to like me, if I follow through with their dare,
But when I try to be myself, they never seem to care.

My mom, well she keeps saying, I gotta make the grade
While both my parents love me, it slowly seems to fade.

It seems like everyone I know is trying to be so cool
And every time I try, I end up just a fool.

I've thought about taking drugs, I really don't want to you know
But I just don't fit in, and it's really startin' to show.

Maybe if I could make the team, I'll stand out in the crowd
If they could see how hard I try, I know they would be proud.

You see I'm still a virgin, my friends they can't find out 
'Cause if they really knew the truth, I know they'd laugh and shout.

Sometimes I really get so low, I want to cash it in
My problems really aren't so bad, if I think of how life's been.

Sometimes I'm really lost, and wonder what to do
I wonder where to go, who can I talk to.

It's tough to be a teenager, sometimes life's not fair
I wish I had somewhere to go, and someone to CARE.

- Tony Overman

Here's to kids who are different,
Kids who don't always get As,
Kids who have ears
Twice the size of their peers,
And noses that go on for days.

Here's to the kids who are different,
Kids they call crazy or dumb,
Kids who don't fit,
With the guts and the grit,
Who dance to a diffferent drum.

Here's to the kids who are different,
Kids with a mischievous streak.
For when they have grown,
As history has shown,
It's their difference that makes them unique.

- Digby Wolfe

"Friends forever," you promised.
"Together till the end."
We did everything with each other.
You were my best friend.

When I was sad, you were by my side.
When I was scared, you felt my fear.
You were my best support - 
If I needed you, you were there.

You were the greatest friend,
You always knew what to say:
You made everything seem better.
As long as we had each other,
Everything would be okay.

But somewhere along the line, 
We slowly came apart.
I was here, you were there,
It tore a hole in my heart.

Things were changing,
Our cheerful music reversed its tune.
It was like having salt without pepper,
A sun without its moon.

Suddenly we were miles apart,
Two different people, with nothing the same.
It was as if we hadn't been friends;
Although we knew deep in our hearts
Neither one of us was to blame.

You had made many new friends
And luckily, so had I
But that didn't change the hurt - 
The loss of our friendship made me cry.

As we grow older, things must change
But they don't always have to end.
Even though it is different, now,
You will always be my friend.

- Phyllis Lin

My friend, I need you now - 
Please take me by the hand.
Stand by me in my hour of need,
Take time to understand.

Take my hand, dear friend,
And lead me from this place.
Chase away my doubts and fears,
Wipe the tears from off my face.

Friend, I cannot stand alone.
I need your hand to hold,
The warmth of your gentle touch
In my world that's grown so cold.

Please be a friend to me
And hold me day by day.
Because with your loving hand in mine,
I know we'll find the way.

- Becky Tucker

1. They always smell good, even if it's just shampoo.
2. The way their heads always find the right spot on your shoulder.
3. The ease with which they fit into your arms.
4. The way they kiss you and all of a sudden everything is right in the world.
5. How cute they are when they eat.
6. The way they take hours to dress, but in the end it's all worthwhile.
7. Because they are always warm, even when it's minus thirty degrees outside.
8. The way they look good no matter what they wear.
9. The way they fish for compliments.
10. How cute they are when they argue.
11. The way their hands always find yours.
12. The way they smile.
13. The way you feel when you see their names on the caller ID after you just had a big fight.
14. The way they say "Let's not fight anymore," even though you know an hour later...
15. The way they kiss when you do something nice for them.
16. The way they kiss you when you say "I love you".
17. Actually, just the way they kiss you...
18. The way they fall into your arms when they cry.
19. Then the way they apologize for crying over something silly.
20. The way they hit you and expect it to hurt.
21. Then the way they apologize when it does hurt (even though we don't admit it).
22. The way they say, "I miss you".
23. The way you miss them.
24. The way their tears make you want to change the world so that it doesn't hurt them anymore.

Yet regardless of whether you love them, hate them, wish they would die, or know that you would die without them...it matters not. Because once they come into your life, whatever they are to the world, they become everything to you. When you look them in the eyes, traveling to the depths of their souls, and you say a million things without a trace of a sound, you know that your own life is inevitably consumed within the rhythmic beatings of their very hearts.

We love them for a million reasons. It is a thing not of the mind but of the heart. A feeling. Only felt.

- Kimberly Kirberger (Compiled in Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul II)

Bottled up inside
Are the words I never said,
The feelings that I hide,
The lines you never read.

You can see it in my eyes,
Read it on my face:
Trapped inside are lies
Of the past I can't replace.

With memories that linger - 
Won't seem to go away.
Why can't I be happier?
Today's a brand new day.

Yesterdays are over,
Even though the hurting's not.
Nothing lasts forever,
I must cherish what I've got.

Don't take my love for granted,
For soon it will be gone - 
All you ever wanted
Of the love you thought you'd won.

The hurt I'm feeling now
Won't disappear overnight,
But someway, somehow,
Everything will turn out all right,

No more wishing for the past.
It wasn't meant to be.
It didn't seem to last,
So I have to set him free.

- Melissa Collette

When I was a child
I saw in black and white.
Everything was obvious
Either wrong or right.
No arguments, no pros and cons
Choices were precise.
Pure and joyous clarity
Gave me a simple life.
So I grew and learned to face the world.
Living life that way.
And now I feel so unprepared
'Cause black and white turned gray.
My unfaltering vision failed
Focus left my eyes.
Where choices were once obvious
I can't tell wrong from right.
Because today I am a teenager
And nothing's quite so clear.
I'm seeing through an adult's eyes
A child's biggest fear.

- Constance Ananta Sobsey