I guess you could say that I've never been easy to get along with. Maybe you could point out my tendency to say things before I think them through, or how I think I'm right... all the time. It only makes sense that my best friend would be part of my family; they have no choice but to put up with me. When I was in elementary school, my parents both worked during the day, so my older brother and I would go to my grandparents' house. My grandma and I were close for as long as I can remember. We watched musicals, cooked, and talked about everything under the sun. She was always so happy and full of life, and so was I. About three years ago, my grandma got sick. She was in dialysis a few days a week, and I didn't visit as often as I could have. I didn't want to see her like that. She wasn't happy or full of life anymore, and I can't say that I was either. Still, we watched musicals, cooked, and talked about everything under the sun. When she passed away in July of 2012, I wasn't there. I was at the beach with my friends. My family was at my grandma's side, but I was not. My mom tells me that she said she wanted me to have the necklace she wore every single day, and I cherish that necklace more than anything in the world. I sleep with the stuffed animals that were on her hospital bed every night. Friendship isn't just about the time you spend together. Friendship is about when you're apart. Knowing that your friend is still there with you, thinking about you, and watching over you, even if they're at the beach or somewhere else, is real, true friendship.