My way of thinking has certainly changed over the years. I used to idolize youth. My heart would flutter with a thousand memories piercing my insides at the site of a cute boy. I wanted--no, I needed to be them; to be that young boy again, a childhood lost at puberty and replaced with fear. Yet, now I find that fading. No, there is still an emotional and hormonal response, but I've realized something important about those boys I idolize. They aren't perfect, though I want to see them that way. They will grow up, just like me. In many ways, they are me. They have nothing more than I had and I have nothing less than they will have. Life can't stand still and it shouldn't have to. Life is liquid memories. The face of a boy slowly becomes a man. A frail body fills in. Life changes and moves on for everyone, not just for me. I shouldn't be jealous. To go through childhood again would mean going through my early teens again too. Junior High over again?! No thank you!!! Where I am now is but one point that everyone passes through. I am not alone in my suffering or my joy. I think about how much time was wasted stressing over youth when for all intents and purposes I was young. And, as I will surely say years from now, I am young. In many ways I have grown up since my opening thought on Corey's Corner so long ago. It was good to have this outlet and to be able to look back now and see how far I've come. I've learned a lot. I just pray you have too...