"Walks' To Remember...

The "Coming to Remembrance" Walks...

One thing I know for sure is that I know I have friends for life, had friends for a due season and had friends that I wished had invested more of my time knowing them in depth. If I did that I wouldn't be remembering a good friend of mine in college with a few regrets.
 "If I knew then what I know now," without a doubt it would be revolutionary changes; major adjustments will be made. Even a complete turn-around... 

This beautiful soul's name is Chelo. Her wit was to reckon with. She could have been in every beauty pageant in the university if she wanted to, she didn't dig that kind of world. I believed she majored in BS Accounting. However, when we talk for hours, her inclinations were geared more to my passion--English Lit. 

By the way, she was the one who introduced me to a lot of walking. She was the picture of "enjoying the moment" mantra--very spontaneous. We would walk for an hour to two hours at least twice a week. 
I  still remember slender tall trees along the path; green bushy perennial plants and maybe even a deer or two seemed unaffected by our presence. That amazement of peaceful walking still renders me glorious moments every now and then. There is still that element of wonder how Chelo knew all the trails and how we always came back in one piece. As if she owned that "wilderness" in a way. One thing...we were both fearless; never crossed our minds if there were perpetrators around that very secluded area. I'm guessing, that's a part in us that is daring; unquenchable spirit of exploring the environment when we're 17. Being young and so full of energy I even thought for a long time that we were indispensable; that no one can hurt us; that we were  unstoppable reaching for our dreams. It felt like the entire universe was in sync with us; that we had the permission or the gift of life... Incredible moments. 

But there was one thing Chelo didn't fully share with me: her family. All I know was she was the only child with two loving parents. I say loving parents even I have not met yet, because she was a very loving, thoughtful, beautiful soul. And that was enough for me. No impositions on my part. Although she was very spontaneous and happy most of the times, as her good friend and confidant, I knew that there was a big gaping hole in her heart. Don't we all but to an extent; different levels of emptiness masked within?

One day we had a visitor/guest in our boarding house. (I & Chelo with two more girls sharing one room--2 bunk beds) This older man was carrying 2 bags full of food supply; may be even new clothes. He was looking for Chelo. We all thought that he could be Chelo's grandfather. My good friend knew my eyes were in deep curiosity. That night she told me that she was adopted. That revelation didn't change anything but respect for her. If it didn't bother me and the rest of us, she should be  okay, I thought. Only then I found out that she wanted to find out who her real parents were but I gathered there was no enough information to begin  her quest. That was an overwhelming missing piece in her life.
 She had also this kind of health issue that she just loses consciousness. One time her boyfriend took her to the hospital and as soon  as I knew I rushed to her side. That was my first encounter of witnessing a very dear friend in a hospital bed. She got better as that was expected of her--a fighter in every way. She wouldn't give up those walks with me. On the other hand, I was afraid this time that if something happens, I would blame myself for not saying no. Remember, cell phones didn't exist yet. Thank God, our walks prevailed unhampered.

My last memory of her was six months  after my college graduation. I came to see her in the same boarding house. We talked but it didn't feel the same. I thought half a year of not seeing her or anybody for that matter isn't that long. But then again, some things might have happened during my absence. I wonder now if she's still the same vibrant soul that loves to walk as much as I do even I'm older now... 

I tried reconnecting with her several times but I lost her. I could have done more to reach out but I guess she was that kind of friend I will always be thankful of her "walks" with me. That I am  closer to the Creator of our divine walks, "the author and finisher of our faith."

Now when I look back to those many deep walks in the forest, it was meant to be that...a journey to know more of ourselves; our path and our purpose. I hope and pray that she still commit those walks to hearty remembrance!

And wherever she is now, I will be forever grateful for our friendship. And I hope to see her in the next life...

Thanks for reading and till tomorrow.

Hugs & Blessings