Donald was a friend whom I once called Squishi. He joined the army even though I really really didn't want him to do so. At least he knew what he was getting himself into. Unlike a lot of the men and women who joined. He's, unfortunately, one of the many who died in the war we (the US) were in.. and still are in but that's my opinion. He died (August 8, 2007) in Baghdad due to wounds inflicted from a road side bomb. I didn't even know, mostly cause I didn't have the guts to do the bit of digging. I had the feeling something was wrong but I couldn't bring myself to find out back than. I finally got myself to dig a little to find out. Mostly because I had been optimistic and sent a letter to the last address I had for him earlier this month. It was returned to me with a stamp stating "attempted to deliver." That's what finally pushed me to find out.
I didn't even get to send as many letters as I wanted to because of the useless drama I dealt with. If I had just known.. If I had been a better friend to him.. I would have just cut out the person who was the cause of the drama that kept me so distracted. If I had I would have been able to buckle down and actually have sent him more letters. Letters of encouragement and silly random thoughts. I wasn't (and still not) good at writing letters. So, in the 3 or 4 I sent him, I wrote about what was going on in my life, a poem I had read, an excerpt from a book I was reading. He'd write back telling me about his day, a poem he wrote about coffee, and comments about my letters.. they (my letters) were indeed a bit random. Even in the color of inks I used.
I considered him a good friend and I'm going to miss him a lot. Even though we didn't get to meet face to face over a cup of hot cocoa, coffee, tea, or something.

I'm not sure what else would be ok to write about. So here's what I put in the guest book that was made in his memory. -->

I'll always remember and miss you, Don. Though, I didn't get the chance to meet you face to face, I still considered you a good friend. I wish I could turn back the hands of time. So, that way I could have at least met you during that brief moment you were in Chicago (in the airport). I wish I could have been a better friend (and pen pal) to you. I saved the letters you sent me. I wish I hadn't let things prevent me from sending as much letters as I wanted to. I wish I had thought way ahead of time (before my comp wigged out) to save the conversations we had via instant messenger. I'll cherish the conversations we had on the phone. I wish I had the guts much sooner than now, to do the bit of digging I didn, to find out that you had passed away. You died much to soon.. I had wished for you to live a long life filled with happiness.
I wish I had told you that I respected you for fighting for all of us US citizens. You died a hero.