I was scared on my first day of school. I remember walking up the steps, stopping halfway. I looked back at my mother in the car; she smiled and motioned me inside.
My classroom was the first one inside the door on the left. I was in awe of so many children. But my teacher was pretty and nice and treated me like I was gold. And I quickly found my first best friend.
Cindy was a sweet and tender child. Her joy of life was not dimmed by the leukemia she battled. She attended school when possible but was mostly a home-bound student. So I wasn't able to see her and play with her much. But we were best friends, and we reveled in the time we had together.
On her birthday, Cindy and her mother came to class so we could all celebrate together. I hadn't seen Cindy in a very long time. The teacher said that Cindy had to have extra shots so she could be around all of us. It made me sad that she had to endure pain just to see her friends.
But her mother had brought a beautiful cake with mounds of chocolate icing. I was so excited: chocolate was my favorite. I hopped from one foot to the other in anticipation. I was the first one in line for my share of the cake with the luscious chocolate frosting.
When Cindy handed me my plate, I took the biggest bite of cake that my mouth could hold. And gagged. The icing wasn't chocolate. It was licorice.
When Cindy died, my mother clipped her obituary from the newspaper. I still have it. Her photo is grainy and unclear, but it's my Cindy.
From the clipping, I know that she experienced exciting events in her short life. She toured Washington, D.C., as a guest of two members of the House of Representatives. She was also an on-stage guest of television stars Carol Burnett and Gomer Pyle during a live performance. And she was named Junior Queen at the local hospital during National Hospital Week.
I've thought of Cindy often throughout the years. I remember that she was always smiling, even when she wasn't well. And I remember that connection I felt, when Cindy became my first best friend. Many times I thought about putting flowers and a note on her grave, but I never did. And now she's far away.
I've thought of Cindy often throughout the years. I remember that she was always smiling, even when she wasn't well. And I remember that connection I felt, when Cindy became my first best friend. Many times I thought about putting flowers and a note on her grave, but I never did. And now she's far away.
And I suppose I've recounted all this to say one simple thing: Cindy, I remember you.
