I am the youngest of 5 girls, 

so life seemed to be a breeze

everyone would care for me and pay attention to my NEEDS.

I was loved so much and I couldn’t tell that I was growing up, 

Until I had to learn to grieve.

 

I was 15, but she was 16.

She wasn’t driving but she was suppose to be.

It was a Tuesday morning a regular day to me 

(or I thought)

I am at school in my Algebra 2 class quiet as always, 

I was only a sophomore surrounded in a class full of juniors. 

I hear amongst the class that there was a crash.. 

The driver survived and the passenger didn’t. 

I didn’t know who it was but all I could think was why.

I texted my friend spilling the news like the little gossip girl I was. 

But she didn’t reply. She never replied 

The passenger who couldn’t survive 

Couldn’t be saved 

Was my friend the whole time.

 

That day was the first of many difficult times

My family couldn’t feel and understand the pain I tired to hide so many times 

For once in my life 

I was alone. 

I felt alone. 

I missed her.

I still miss her every single day. 

 

They say experiences like learning to ride a bike or 

Getting a phone for the first time 

Are the types of things that make you realize you’re growing up. 

But what they don’t tell you is that grief is another. 

Death is something that will be apart of your life no matter what whether it’s someone you know, a loved one, or even you.

For me, it was one of my closest friends 

 

She made me stronger, this is both my story of overcoming the loss and her story that I want to share with the world 

She made me who I am today 

She motivated me to do what she couldn’t be able to do.

All in memory of her name. 

This is when i realized I was growing up. 

Doing things like graduating high school..

.. just without the person I love.

I love you Andrea.