written for a friend

Writing for a friend...



I initially want to write about our memories, the moments we shared, the laughters, the tears and the stories.  Only then I suddenly realized, this is not a story about how a friendship matured.  Instead, it is about the legacy of determination and love that I would like to not only remember but tell others. Dear K.B, you might not have known but your existence in our life gave us strength and made us realized how fragile but at the same time beautiful life was.  Because of people like you, the world has become a bit nicer and better.

Once I first knew you, I did not know what you had gone through in the past.  A person in front of me was a young, lively, smart and beautiful person who happened to have the same sense of humor as I did.  Our friendship started.  Talks after talks, you finally opened up and told me about your story which strangely gave me strength to overcome the hardship I was experiencing at the time.  An illness once thought cured suddenly came back when you were about to live the dream of your life.  Your courage to go against all-odds is admired and respected.

Being a pharmacist, this was your dream.  Once you told me, school helped easing the thoughts of being unable to do things and to do the things you loved.  And you continued to do so until the very last time.  Seeing you in school a few weeks ago, all I could do was to give you a hug.  You carefully showed me how you had been studying.  Holding your "Nook", you continued to learn and told me "Nook" was a wonderful tool.  You told me you were interested in the student group that I was in and would like to go to the meeting next time.  Only that I have not gotten chance to send you information about our next meeting.

You introduced your Dad,  a parent whose tenacity I admired.  I don't know if you know but secretly he was probably very proud of his daughter because even though it was hard, she was thriving in P-school and earned respect from every classmate that she was friend with.  For you, K's Dad,  I understand it was never easy to see your loved one sufferings but you held up strongly. May I say this determination and strong-will run in your family?  Did K. happen to take this great quality after you?  Because she never thought about failure.  For it, it was the way and as long as she could, she would continue.

K, Your presence reminded me to never underestimate human's ability to overcome even the hardest part of one's life.  Last semester was hard, wasn't it K?  Seeing you falling from time to time, it made me wonder what I should do if I was to contract the same illness.  It is not an easy question.  I might cry a lot.  I might complain how life is so unfair.  I might end up being psychotic.  But you showed me a different option.  You showed me that no matter what happens, what matters most is to continue to do what you love to do and follow your passion. You show me to believe in one's self because it will give me strength to continue the path ahead.  With that my friend, I am glad to be your friend.  I am glad that I believe in the things that happen or the people that we encounter in life sometimes are for reasons.  Because even though you are no longer here with us, your wonderful characteristics and attitude in life will continue to contribute to our growth and understandings of others.

So thank you for striking up the conversation and late night calls.

I hope you are in good hand now.  You will be greatly missed...

With love,

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