I set out to write this post a couple of days ago, but have since then been struggling to put the words together and have re-written this post countless times in my head.
Today the sun is shining in England. The last time it was sunny and beautiful was Monday. As I walked home from school on Monday I was happy. I had just gotten back from Spain, had sat on the beach for a week, really enjoy school, have great friends and have even met a wonderful British boy!
However, that smile faded quickly with some saddening news.
Last Saturday I received an e-mail from Peel Police notifying me and asking if I had any information about a missing friend of mine. Oddly enough, this friend's name had popped into my head while I was away - it was time to update her. Unfortunately, I missed that chance. Monday evening I was notified that her body had been found.
So today I write to her, to share our jokes, exchange some advice and enjoy the sun together.
My friend, Cheryl was a second a mother to me. We met when I was sixteen and started working in my Dad's office. I was still very shy when I started at Pillar to Post, but Cheryl helped me break out of that. When I came back at the age of seventeen, Cheryl and I were inseparable. We went out for every lunch together up until this past summer. We often would just go for walks and talk, or sit in the park. Cheryl had a high and strong wall guarding her personal life, but brick by brick she shared stories with me. We have very different perspectives on life, which often made for interesting conversation. But the advice we sought from each other was always very open minded and much appreciated. I could go to Cheryl with anything and everything. We often were asked if we were mother and daughter, or because she's even shorter than I am, if we were sisters.
Cheryl was an absolute lover of the sun, and any chance she had she soaked it up. In a note I wrote to my Dad's office I told them that every time the sun shines, it is just Cheryl saying hello. Being extremely busy this week, the news hasn't even fully sunk in yet. But having a momentary break before the events of this week continue tonight, the sun started to shine and it's warm in England. Cheryl is here with me. I enjoyed the sunshine with a walk with my friend. I updated her on my life here and shared some news that would make her so proud. It was this walk that allowed me to sort out the words I needed for this blog.
At the end of each summer I always wrote Cheryl a note and put it on her desk for her to find the next morning. It was a note to say thank you for the fun this summer, goodbye, keep in touch and I will see you next summer. This is my goodbye note, Cheryl.
Goodbye my dear friend. I hope you are able to find the happiness you have long been searching for and find comfort in your new home. I know you are sitting somewhere on the beach soaking in all the sun you can get, while you sip on an ice cold beer. The memories I share with you will forever be cherished and your friendship will always be carried in my heart. I hope you can now fully smile and continue to make those around you laugh. I will miss you, but will never forget you. I love you forever and always. Goodbye, keep in touch and I will see you when the sun shines.
- Shelby
