A long, long time ago, way back in the golden age of preschool, I had a friend named Bradley. Bradley was really the first friend I had ever made by myself. I had other friends, but I knew them from playdates and other random things like that over which I had little or no control, which isn't to say that I didn't like them, but there's something different about a personal friend. Bradley and I played every day in preschool, and he was the one I talked to about all kinds of random things, especially Star Wars. He was a huge fan of Star Wars, and I believe I had seen it at the time, or if I hadn't, I knew enough about it to talk to him about it. Though Bradley had a huge influence on me when we were young, though, the thing about getting to know him that really changed me was after all the experiences I had with him, and I even think as recently as within the last year or two. He died some time into our foray into preschool.
At the time, I really didn't know anything about death. My mom tried to explain it to me, but not being able to understand how permanent it was, I always felt like he was still around somewhere. Who knows, maybe he really was? That feeling disappeared a long time ago, but recently I've been thinking about it a lot more. Mostly I wonder how things might have turned out differently if he were still here. Would he have moved a long time ago? Would we still be friends? If he were still alive and for some reason we weren't friends anymore, would the future even feel any different?
What I've taken away from the whole experience has been a relatively recent transformation. In Bradley's name, I strive to be a better person to everyone around me, knowing that I could have as much of an impact on somebody else as Bradley has had on me someday. If that's the case, I want that impact to be positive. Someday, someone may remember me for the good I did and work to pay it forward to the next person they meet. Treating one's neighbors well is the first step toward keeping the chain alive. Pay it forward, my friends.
Tanner, I am so sorry for you loss of a great friend. Thank you for sharing this story. I totally understand that feeling of knowing so little of the world as a child....Isn't it weird to think about the tunnel vision we had. And knowing so much more now, it is CRAZY to imagine the possibilities that could've been our future. Thank you for putting this story out there. I believe that someone like you that takes the time to value a childhood friend like Bradley will most definitely be remembered by someone else. I'll be paying it forward.
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