I Miss My Friend

When I wrote this it was entirely fiction.... August 17th 2005 my friend Ashleigh Robertson was killed by a drunk driver. I would like to dedicate this piece in her memory!

RIP ASHLEIGH ROBERTSON
July 3rd, 1983 - August 17th, 2005

Think of this next time you get behind the wheel drunk!

This was written for the Sing Us A Story contest.
The story is written based on the song I Miss My Friend by Darryl Worley.

         The hardest thing I've ever done in my twenty years, is stand up at my boyfriend Garth's funeral to say my last good-byes. I didn't just lose my boyfriend, I lost my best friend, my lover, my confidant.
         As I walked to the podium I thought back to the week before, when I'd recieved the news. Garth was in an accident this morning, his mother told me over the phone, after waking me up. He was driving home from a party last night... he'd been drinking. He was driving too fast, and hit a patch of ice.
         Is he alright? I remember asking. After a moment of silence his mother sighed. Jenna, Garth died.

         Everyone fell silent as I stood next to Garth's coffin. I looked out at the numerous family members, and friends of Garth's sitting in front of me. I cleared my throat and begin.
         "Garth and I had been dating for two years, and we were talking about marriage. In the past two years he became the one my heart and soul confided in. He always had a way of cheering me up, and making me think everything would be ok, no matter what was wrong.
         "So where is he now, when I need him the most? I remember his gentle voice at lonely times like now, sayin' it would be alright. He always told me, no matter what happened, he'd be here to hold me when I needed him to. I always imagined he'd be here through the tough stuff.
         "As I stand up here tonight, I look at the faces of so many hurt by this tragedy. Garth touched a lot of lives in his twenty-two years on this Earth. With his golden smile, and those blue-green eyes that you just got lost in... Garth found a friend in everybody.
         "What tears me up most about Garth's death though, is that it could have been prevented! He didn't need to get into his car drunk. He made a decision, and it cost him more than I'm sure he ever dreamed it could -- it cost him his future.
         "I have no doubt, if he knew how much this would hurt so many of us, Garth wouldn't have done it. Unfortunately, there's no way to go back and undo what Garth did. I do hope that everyone of you walk away today, a little wiser than you were when you came. Drinking and Driving kills - and there's no reason why it should. Assign a designator driver, take a cab, hide your keys before that first beer... just don't get into that car drunk!"
         As I turned to look at the pictures behind me, a slow applause began among the crowd. I looked into a picture of Garth and I on vacation in Hawaii. It was my favorite. It was taken just after a fight we had, but I can't remember what that fight was about now. It hit me then that I'd never have those silly fights, the makin' up, the mornin' talks again. I wiped a tear away and turned to sit down.
         That's when I realized the crowd was applauding quite loudly. Looking back at the picture of Garth, I smiled. Garth always said he wanted to make a difference. Even if it was a big sacrifice, there was no doubt he'd done so with every person in attendance. I blew a kiss to the picture and whispered, "I miss my friend."

I Miss My Friend
by: Darryl Worley
Written by: Mark Nesler/Tom Shapiro/Tony Martin

I miss the look of surrender in your eyes
The way your soft brown hair would fall
I miss the power of your kiss when we made love
Oh but baby most of all
I miss my friend

The one my heart and soul confided in
The one I felt the safest with
The one who knew just what to say
To make me laugh again
And let the light back in
I miss my friend

I miss the colors that you brought into my life
Your golden smile, those blue-green eyes
And I miss your gentle voice at lonely times like now
Sayin' it'll be alright
I miss my friend

The one my heart and soul confided in
The one I felt the safest with
The one who knew just what to say
To make me laugh again
And let the light back in
I miss my friend

I miss those times, I miss those nights
I even miss our silly fights
The makin' up, the mornin' talks
And those late afternoon walks
I miss my friend

The one my heart and soul confided in
The one I felt the safest with
The one who knew just what to say
To make me laugh again
And let the light back in
I miss my friend
I miss my friend
I miss my friend