Everyone has close friends who they can count on and have fun with. But some even know what it's like to loose a friend, including me. This story I'm going to talk about a really close friend of mine who passed away. You may cry, but you may also have a heart warming feeling.
When I was in fifth grade, I made two friends who were twins that lived in my neighborhood. There names were Jamie and Richie, Richie had autism. My sister met them first and she introduced them to me. I got along with both of them right away, and became good friends with them. I would often spend time with Richie after school and go to their house to play video games.
As time went on I would go to his house more and more and we would play outside together. I would always see him walking his dogs around my neighborhood. Every time I saw him I would always smile. He was the type of person that no matter what he did you always felt a good feeling even just by being around him. He was always energetic and happy all the time, like nothing could bring him down. Besides having autism, Richie had a problem with his heart. He's had a couple of heart surgeries. Every time I saw his scars I would always feel bad because I hate seeing anyone in pain. When someone is in pain I can feel their pain too, especially if they're important to me. Even though he had problems with his heart, that didn't stop him from being the energetic person that he was.
By the time I was in tenth grade, Richie would always come over to my house after school and we would spend time together. I would also help him with his spelling if he needed it, or just be there for him if he ever had a bad day, which was rare because he was a ball of sunshine. We would go outside and play ball, play more video games, and he would even stay over for dinner most nights. He was a really close friend and I even felt like he was my brother. He was apart of my family even though he wasn't blood related.
I remember the last day I got to spend with him like it was yesterday. When he came over, I noticed he wasn't himself. He wasn't as energetic like he usually was. I kept asking if he was alright and he would just say he was tired. But I thought, he's never tired, so I kept a close eye on him to make sure he was alright. We still did the same things we normally did, but something was off. He didn't smile as often as he usually did and he just seemed run down. I remember when his brother Jamie came to pick him up, both my sister and I told Jamie that Richie didn't seem like himself. Before Richie left, I gave him a hug, not thinking that would be the last time I would see him. That night all I could think about was Richie and if he was going to be alright.
The next day, I was waiting for Richie to come over and he never did. My mom called Jamie and his mom to see if everything was alright. When we got ahold of Jamie, he told us Richie passed away in his sleep. I could hear the sadness in Jamie's voice. I could only imagine what Jamie, his mom, and older brother went through. My heart broke when I got the news. He was my closest friend and I felt like everything stopped. I couldn't believe he was taken away from his friends and family. My family also went through grieving because we lost not only a friend but a member of our family. I remember crying me eyes out that night and a few days later, because I lost someone who was so special to me. My family was there for Jamie's family through the whole grieving process, especially my sister and I.
He passed away on Mother's Day in 2013. It's been a hard few years without him, but remembering all the times he was happy and joyful makes me happy to have had him in my life. I still miss him very much, but I know he's not in pain anymore and he's in a better place. I am so grateful to have had him not only as my close friend but my brother as well. He could brighten anyone's day no matter what mood they were in. I do miss him very much but he always has a special place in my heart.
It's hard to loose a loved one and sometimes it takes years to cope with the loss. If you are a person who has lost someone close to you, just remember you're not alone and things will get better it just takes time. When I think of Richie I always remember the good times I had with him, even though he's not here with me anymore. He will always have that special spot and I will never forget him. He has made me a more loving and compassionate person. I am very thankful to have the chance to call him my friend and brother. He is missed but holds a special place in each of us. His memory will live bright in all of us!
-I miss you very much Richie. You were and are always loved! In memory of Richard K. "Richie" Hammond (August 13, 1993 to May 12, 2013)