A Friend's Lament

Dearest friend,

Remember that time when I took you to my grandfather's house in the countryside? I clearly recall the late afternoon we both decided to head to the thicket with a lazy river at its end. We were feeling adventurous that day: provoked by our risky minds and the need to getaway from whatever was bothering us, we headed with just our sandals on our feet and a thrilling prospect of what's inside the forest. 

When our head was covered by tall trees, we cannot see the sky. You asked me if I knew the exact way to wherever we were heading. I told you, "Yes, of course." I can still clearly remember how you had a worried face because you thought we were lost. And at last, we reached the tip of the river. We jumped in immediately, not minding if there were any people around. The two of us were both relieved by the fact that nature and friendship can offer such gracious healing to our childish, uncomprehending minds.

Then you left me. You moved somewhere far. As years aged our skins, our minds matured and clouded our longing for each other. We promised each other to tell on how our own adventures have molded our own selves; how meeting other people have shaped our point-of-views; how loving and playing have caressed our urges to be loved back. All of those happened- yet, we easily forgotten that childhood was only childhood because we turned adults. 

Now, I am dead. Cancer has its morbid way of telling my family and friends that I have died without peace and satisfaction. You probably have found out by now that I am no longer alive; my body has probably started to decay somewhere where they buried it. Although I have met a lot of people growing up, I still cherished the moments of fun we shared when we were young. I wish we would have had more adventures before death had silently scythed my life.

Take care,
######## ############

Two weeks ago, I found out that one of my closest childhood friends passed away. I am highly devastated. The last time we parted an intimate conversation was more than 3 years ago; now, we will never anymore. The letter above I write as if he had written it exactly for me. 

May your soul rest in peaceful forever, my sweet friend.