Amidst the towering redwood trees and the serenity of his childhood utopia of the Russian River, Dave Pelzer reflects on having the courage to move forward in your life, the peace to accept yourself, the vulnerability to strip yourself of facades, and to find the tenacity to carry on when life doesn't turn out the way you planned.

As a child, Dave Pelzer was brutally beaten and starved by his mother. The world knew nothing of his living nightmare and he had nothing and no one to turn to. But his dreams kept him alive -- dreams of someone taking care of him, loving him and calling him their son.