To My Childhood Best Friend Who Lost A Parent Way Too Young | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Relationships

To My Childhood Best Friend Who Lost A Parent Way Too Young

Everything I've ever wanted you to know.

Jenna Strop
Sep 26, 2016
Idaho State University
13
To My Childhood Best Friend Who Lost A Parent Way Too Young
Inspiring Love

Dear Friend,

I want to start by saying that I love you, oh so much. I look up to you in so many ways that you probably aren’t even aware of. You have been my inspiration for the past 11 years, and I am so grateful that I have gotten to be a part of your life. I did not know what it meant to be a true friend before you needed me to be there for you. I didn’t know what having a sister felt like, and neither did you, until we became one to each other.

I do not know what you had to go through when you were just 8 years old, on that earth-shattering September day. I have never experienced the pain that you endured at such a young age, an age that should not be capable of feeling such heartache. I do not know what it was like to grow up without the one person who is always supposed to be there for you. But every year, around this time, I find myself thinking more and more about you, and us, and that day that caused you to have to grow up way too quickly.

I do know that you would agree with me when I say that our relationship wasn’t easy. But I know you’d also agree with me when I say that even with as much as God challenged us, we always stuck together. Through Barbie’s, braces, and boys, we were each other’s person. Know that as I grew up alongside you, I witnessed you conquer the world like a rock star, and to this very day, I am in awe at how you did it all. I am so proud of the young woman you have become, and I have never been more proud to say that you were the one by my side through both the good and the bad times.

Please know that I did my absolute best to be there for you. Know that it was hard to know what to say sometimes, especially when we were younger. Know that I’m sorry if I didn’t always say the right thing, the thing you needed or wanted most to hear from me. But please know that I heard every word you said to me, even if I didn’t always have a reply. Know that as we grew older and talked more and more about life, and death, and the crazy, unfair world we live in, I treasured every conversation we had. Every late night phone call, every cemetery visit, every tear shed while embraced in each other’s arms, know that I will cherish those moments forever.

Know that you are still one of my very best friends. You are the friend I know I can go days, weeks, even months without speaking to, but who I know will always, wholeheartedly, have my back when I need it. We may not be as close as we once were, but know that my heart will always hold a special place in it for our friendship. Know that I appreciated all of the times when you needed someone to be there for you, yet you were still always there for everyone else. Please know that you have experienced much more than most young adults will ever have to, and through you, I have learned so much. Know that I am amazed at how you have tackled the world with such poise and grace and that your mom would be so incredibly proud, too.

LYLT,

Jen

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

7 Experiences All Girls With Resting Bitch Face Have Had

The struggles of having an RBF are all too real

University of South Florida
1551
girl
Pexels

In case you're unaware, "resting bitch face" is the term used to describe when a person's natural, expressionless face makes it look like they are mad at the world. Whether they are walking down the street or simply spacing out thinking about what to eat for dinner, it's very easy for others to assume that this person is either upset or mad at them. Because of this, those of us with Resting Bitch Face (RBF), and especially us women, have all experienced many of the same situations and conversations, including:

Keep Reading...Show less
rbf
Entertainment

The Stages Of A Crush As Told By The Cast of "Bob's Burgers"

We all go through certain stages when we have a crush, Tina just explains it better.

Dean College
611
my heart just pooped its pants
Google

We've all had a crush before. Whether it leads to something or nothing, the process has all been the same. The awkward feelings, the stalking, and the stress of trying to keep this huge secret. The feeling of becoming a total spazz is something that cannot be avoided, and the most spazzy family that can relate to this feeling is the Belcher's.

Keep Reading...Show less
bobs burgers
Adulting

Adulting 101: In Sickness And In Self

Everybody hurts sometimes.

Georgia State University
502
you didnt come this far to only come this far lighted text
Photo by Drew Beamer on Unsplash

At the tender age of 18, we are bestowed with the title of “adult.” For 17 years, we live under the rules and guidelines of our parents, school, and government, and to stray from any of those rules or guidelines marks us as a rebel. At 18, though, we must choose which college we want to go to or what career we want. We are allowed and encouraged to vote. We can buy lottery tickets and cigarettes. We can drop out of school, leave our household, and do other "adult" things. At 18, we start down a path of thinking for ourselves, when for the entirety of our lives other institutions have been mandated to think and do for us.

Keep Reading...Show less
adulting
Student Life

25 Thoughts Everyone Has When Registering For Classes

May the odds be ever in your favor.

University of Nebraska Omaha
1239
university
University of Nebraska at Omaha

Creating your schedule for the upcoming semester can be an exciting process. You have the control to decide if you want to have class two-days a week or five-days a week. You get to check things off of your requirement checklist. It's an opportunity for a fresh start with new classes (which you tell yourself you'll never skip.) This process, which always starts out so optimistic, can get frustrating really quickly. Here are 25 thoughts you have when registering for classes.

Keep Reading...Show less
class registration
Student Life

10 Thoughts Of A 5th Year Senior

What about those of us who don't do it all in four years?

University of Kentucky
1685
college shirt
pointsincase.com

"College will be the best four years of your life" is a phrase that we have all heard growing up. College is painted as a magical place to us while we are in high school. A place you go to learn, meet your best friends and probably have the time of your life while all of this is going down. Four whirlwind years, where everything that you've known changes and you start to learn what it means to live on your own, have a job, etc. But what about those of us who don't do this all in four years? Major changes, hard courses, switching schools, career paths changing, these are just a handful of factors that could extend your four years to five, six or seven. There is nothing wrong with taking extra time to graduate, but returning as a fifth-year is a little different. Most of your best friends have most likely graduated and moved and while you may be one of the oldest undergraduates on campus, you might feel as awkward as a freshmen. A world that became home and comfortable to you is still there but it's slightly different than you've known it to be and you have to find a groove to fall into. These are thoughts you'll have as you look ahead to returning to your college campus, with a victory lap planned.

Keep Reading...Show less
senior year

Trending Topics

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments