Regrets, I have a few
I got up at 6:00am today to face another day of writing a few more chapters of the second book, its seems to go on and on, the things I got up to when I ran away is madness; looking back now I wonder why I made so many mistakes hence why I called this post Regrets, I have a few. Every door that I came across was locked and sufferring volience at the hands of those that were supposed to help.
I am stuck on my next chapter; how to continue? It isnt the fact that I have what is know as writers block, on the contrary, there is so much madness I just don’t know where to draw the line or continue on; my disbelief is why my dysfunctional behaviour was so bloody crazy.
I feel as if having a criminal record has ruined my life and this saddens me; if only I could just turn the back the hands of time. How many times we have all said this, we all have made mistakes although I have probably made more than the average person.
The title of this post says it all; “Regrets, I have a few” but when I look back at my behaviour during my time in London and try to analyse it all I realise that it was all frustration and anger. My actions where a way of trying to express these feelings and unlike most teenagers I hadn’t been given the tools for life that most loving mothers pass onto their children throughout their childhood.
Sometimes I feel intense anger towards my abusers and consider how my life would have been had I come from a “normal” family or had my beloved father still been alive and then other times I know that all that happened to me has shaped me to the man I am today. Regrets, I have a few is so apt but by the same token I have the love of my family and this continues to keep me strong and focused.
September 1st, 2008 at 7:54 pm
Hi Joe…. Oh My God just finished your book - what an amazing person you must be, the inner strength you have is proof that no matter what life throws at us we have the strength to protect our inner light and yours must be brighter than any star in the sky.
I cried for a whole day, sobs and sobs of snotty tears as I laid on my sun lounger next to the pool on my holiday in sunny Cyprus! can you imagine what an earth I looked like to happy-go-lucky holiday makers, half naked sobbing into my towel…funny thats what!! Thanks for sharing your story with me and thanks for helping me release some of the demons still haunting me, they don’t all ever go away they kinda change form to challenge you differently. I am sure your story will inspire everyone who has the privilage to know it. I have tried to tell mine but when I get to the bit, well you know that bit, the bit that sticks in your throat like your silence the words stop and I’m stuck. No worries tho when I try again I reckon having read your bravery in getting the words out I might just do it this time. Your Dad was a special man and I reckon the universe saw that he could never win and fulfill his desire to care for you like he wanted so they took his soul and added it to yours so you would have the strength to beat it all.. and you did you know, you and your Dad you won Joe. Now recovery now love you and your Dad and give thanks for survival. Listen to me I cant even get the words out but Joe I send some love your way and good luck with everything, you are truely an amazing bright star. Louise x
September 4th, 2008 at 8:12 am
Hi joe ive also just finished your book what a hard but an amazing read. I was hoping so much to get to the end and read how much your mum and everyone suffered from what they did to you, but they got away with everything and i hope they have to live with that guilt for the rest of their lives. You truely are a survivor and wish you all the best. Cant wait for you next book.
sam x
September 4th, 2008 at 9:55 am
Hi Joe
I too have just finished your book, last night in fact. I just wanted to tell you that as a person who was constantly beaten by her mother, was abused by 3 different men starting at the age of 5, I feel that in some ways I could connect with what you were going through. I cannot however, even begin to realise the other torture that you had to endure. I too had problems trusting anyone who ever tried to get close, or showed me kindness! Who knows, maybe one day will find the courage to speak out and name and shame these people! I too now have a family and a very understanding husband, and think, despite the demons, have grown into a fairly well balanced human and a good parent. I have never hit my kids, and have always wanted the best for them in life!
I too wished for your situation to change with the start of each chapter… hoping that some way… somehow… someone would see your suffering and rescue you, alas, as in so many of these cases, it wasn’t to be! Anyway looking forward to your next book, take care Joe, and well done for not letting them beat you! You are a very special person! Sharon x
September 5th, 2008 at 2:07 pm
hi joe,
i have just finished your book and i am struggling with what to say as words can not express my emotion, you are amazing to have come out the other end of such a hurendous life and i just wish the authoroties read it and realise that you are not a bad person, all through reading i was either crying for you or swearing at the people around you, your dad would be very proud of you im sure he is watching over you and your family always, i wish you all the best and hope you live a long forfilling life
rachel
x
September 7th, 2008 at 11:21 pm
You are a very brave and strong person - what a shame that so many of the people who should have helped you didn’t
I am so glad that you have a lovely wife and children to love.
I wish you all the best in all you ever do - you certainly deserve it
Lorna x
September 8th, 2008 at 8:08 am
Hello Joe.
WOW is all i can say. i as many others have just finished ur book, and it really touched my heart.
I wish i could wright a book about my life, as i went throe mostly the same as you did in my childhood. but i just dont think i am ready just yet.
you are a inspiration to me though, and i will definatly be getting your next book.
I wish you and your family all the best.
Liz. x
September 10th, 2008 at 9:41 pm
Just finnished reading your book and I felt compelled to contact you. I have worked with young people for a number of years some of which have had difficult and disruptive lives. However many of them now have the support and safety to make a start at attempting to move on with their lives. It is the young people still suffering that I worry about. Hopefully with awareness being raised by people like yourself we will be better placed to look out for the signs of abuse and the possible abusers. One thing that disturbs me most of all though from reading your book is that all of the sick individuals you talk about got away without punnishment… Or have I missed something? Good luck with your future goals, Kala.
September 20th, 2008 at 11:09 pm
hi joe,
i just want to say as many others have i have just finished your book and i have never read something that made me so angry and phisicly sick because i was crying so much, after all thats happened to you and you have got through it i am amazed by you, i am 20 years and not had an easy life my self with a bit of a struggle when i was younger but nothing to the extent of what you went through but your book made me realise that if you can get past all of that and go on to live a happy normal life then can i so what i really want to say is thank you so much for you book, i look forward to the next one,
lots of love
stacie xxx
ps thanks again joe you are truly amazin!!!!!!!!
October 20th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
Hi, just finished reading your book, i couldnt put it down, it wasn’t an easy read. i wanted to get to the end and see how your mother suffered when the authorities finally found out. It sickens me to think she got away with it! You are a very strong person and glad you left just like your brother but happy you still look out for your younger brother Thomas. You are an amazing strong person and i wish you the very best for the future! xxxx
November 15th, 2008 at 7:01 am
Hi Joe, I have never struggled to read a book before and have certainly never had to put a book down so I can pull myself together!…As a mother I cannot understand what goes through these peoples minds when they behave this way. You are certainly the bravest person I have come accross and I admire your stamina and self respect to survive what you did. You have moved me in a way I have never experienced and will be in my thoughts fo a very very long time. I just wish I knew if there was a child suffering close by that I could help as I am sure there are many. Enjoy the rest of your life your dad would be very proud ! you are truly amazing!
Jane
June 6th, 2009 at 5:18 pm
Hi ive just finished you’re book.
I read a lot of books like yours, the kind of true story ones about child abuse. and not one of the books is the same. i feel so incredibly sorry for you and i am so happy you have recovered from all the pain from you’re childhood
love sarah. xx