To the friend I grew out of,
When we first met, it seemed awkward, almost unnatural that we were friends. We were from completely different backgrounds and had opposite morals and viewpoints on just about everything. After years of ups and downs surrounded by the life changes many experience, our friendship thrived, and we refused to allow outside forces, control our relationship.
Until I grew up, and grew out of our "friendship."
I finally decided that the one way street was going to be closed, because you see, friendship is suppose to be 50/50, but with you, it never was. It was never about me. I tried to be understanding and constantly made excuses for your behavior, and often times, tried finding ways to blame myself or question what I did wrong.
Until I grew up.
You are a survivor, and you did what you had to do in order to live, in order to survive, even if that meant our friendship was sacrificed in the process. I tolerated it, because I was sympathetic to your past and the traumatic events you experienced, some in-which were out of your control. So I continued to be the understanding, caring, considerate friend.
Until, I grew up.
I often found myself reflecting on our past, remembering even the smallest slice of our friendship that did not revolve around you. I wanted to store those memories and cherish them, and constantly used them as an excuse to continue to be your friend.
Until, I grew up.
I grew to realize, friendship should be a two-way street and not just a convenience.
I grew to realize, memories, while some are great, are not an excuse to remain friends with someone.
I grew to realize, some people change, for the better, and others, change for the worse.
I grew to realize, some people conform to the people they are around, and maybe cannot control their actions.
I grew to realize, that friends can be selfish.
I grew to realize, sometimes, people have to put others down, because they can't face who they really are.
I grew to realize, sometimes people extinguish their friends, because they can't handle when others are honest or successful.
I grew to realize, friendships evolve, and through this evolution, sometimes, they end.
I grew to realize, the importance of family.
I grew to realize, the significance of diversifying my circle.
I grew to realize, it takes a strong person to hold a friendship together, but it takes an even stronger person to walk away.
I grew to realize, some things are better left unsaid.
I grew to realize the quantity of friendships, are not nearly as important as the quality.
I grew to realize true friendship comes when you least expect it, and sometimes you need to be hurt and experience heartache, in order to discover loyal friends.
Finally, I grew up, and I grew out of our "friendship" and after all of these years, I realized, some friendships are worth fighting for, and others, are worth letting go.
