The most Enthusiastic little boy

Dedicated to the most inspiring person I ever knew, Anthony Ventre.

He was the most enthusiastic little boy. Everything he did, no matter how big or small, was so important to him. Everything was significant. He lived every moment as though there were no tomorrow.

He was a drummer and wanted to be a rock star. But his friends and parents laughed at him.
He then wrote the following to a publisher:
My name is Anthony Ventre. I am a 19 year old Tourette Syndrome patient. I had TS since the age of 4. I would like to take this time to ask of you to publish a very meaningful line of poetry in your next newsletter. From having a severe case of Tourette Syndrome, I am sure you will be very interested in this poem. It tells how a person with TS tries to express his or her feelings to people who just don't understand.
Thanks for your cooperation.

Nobody seems to ever understand the painful things I feel,
Nobody knows what's inside my head or even if it's real.

Nobody knows what it feels like to constantly be confused,
Nobody knows how sad I feel when I feel that I'm being used.

*Nobody knows what it feels like to be afraid to go to sleep,
The fear of never waking up again, The fear of sinking so deep.

Maybe someday they'll find the key that unlocks the mystery of my mind,
From that day on I'll finally be free and happiness will be mine.

But until that day nobody knows the feeling of being me,
Maybe they're not looking hard enough, maybe they just can't see.
by Anthony Ventre

A few months later, he received a call from Bon Jovi's manager to possibly publish his band's album. But 17 years ago today, as the poem that he wrote states, he died in his sleep.

Whatever you want in life go after it.

"Some spend their whole lives waiting and never taking."

"Don't die with your music still inside you."

He lived by the Quote of the month: "A winner is a dreamer who just won't quit."