My Letter to You...

To my dearest best friend,

Remember when I first stepped onto the basketball court, and you taught me how to properly shoot? Remember when I then got hit by a basketball straight on the head, and you were there comforting me. Remember when I told on you for touching my hair? I know, it was silly, really. And remember...when we spazzed out over our love lives? Such crazy teenage girls we were back then. I could go on and on, but I’m afraid my shaky hands are preventing me to write more sentences than I actually imagined.
The laughter we shared...it’s unforgettable. We met in second grade, just young gals back then. You, a seven-year old whereas I, a six-year old. Curious little girls back then, weren’t we? Though, we hit it off pretty quickly in a matter of a week or so. But I’m glad. Glad we met. Was it destiny? The start of our friendship.
As we transitioned from grade to grade, our group of friends began changing as well. We no longer were as close as used to be in second grade, in fact we rarely saw each other throughout elementary school. Then came along middle school, where we pretty much were stuck with each other for the entire day. Amazing really. And throughout that year, through passing notes in science and math class...we fixed our close friendship, and we were best friends once more.
The year after, although we were in completely different classes, we made it work. You were there for me when our other friends hurt my feelings, and over the phone, you heard me weeping while eating a bucket of ice cream. Your words of advice fixed my friendship with our other friends, and I can’t thank you enough for that.
Then six years later, we found ourselves standing in front of our entire high school class, ready to start a new chapter in our life--college. We were no longer able to see each other, due to the fact that you were attending a different college from me. It was hard to see each other throughout the four years, but we kept in touch over email and text.
When we both graduated from undergraduate school, we decided to head out and find our own jobs. There, we found our other halves and were invited to each other’s wedding. It was a blast really, to see each other getting married on stage. I was proud, and I’m sure you were too.
We soon grew apart though, when my family and I moved to a separate area whereas you and your family stayed in our hometown. Things did change, I must admit. How I missed those times when I could simply go over to your house and play those scary horror games. But as we aged, so did our children. They soon were sent off to college, found their own lovers, and created a family of their own. Oddly enough, I was supposed to feel happy weren’t I? But...something felt missing. I think it was myself longing for our hometown. When I had finally talked it out with my spouse, we agreed to move back into town. But by that time...we were both already in our late 70s.
As soon as I arrived in town, after unpacking all our furniture, I instantly wanted to see you and catch up on all these years. But...something happened. Every time I wanted to remember an old memory, I would only see blank and fuzzy things. Something was definitely wrong, I knew. After contemplating whether or not to visit you first thing, I decided to go visit the doctor first, for I knew health came first and you would never approve  of me jepordizing my own health.
The doctor told me I had a disease, though that disease was fairly common in people like us. It was Alzheimer’s. He had so simply stated that I would slowly forget my memories, one by one. The oldest ones lasting till the newer ones died out. The oldest ones-our friendship memories. My time is coming soon, I can feel it pulsing through my veins. It’s just a gut feeling.
Today...I woke up, and on the calendar, it said December 3rd. I knew it was an important day, though I couldn’t quite put a finger on it. What was it? Then that afternoon...I decided to dig out our old photo albums from our childhood...and I saw a picture of you and me after the elementary school’s holiday program. We were smiling so happily, with our arms slung around each other. Then I knew. It was your birthday.
I want to be youthful once more. Wind the clocks, and be back 70 years ago. When my memory was as clear as ever, without the Alzheimer’s in the way. Our friendship...had lasted more than sixty years. And I hope...it does, even till the day when we both fall deeply asleep. But...I’m afraid my time is coming quicker than yours, thanks to my foggy memories. But...before it’s too late, I just want to thank you. Thank you for being my friend. My best friend, in fact.

Happy birthday, best friend.