My Early Memories

I've had many memories. Some good, some bad. The one I truly remember is of my friend, Derik. Derik was one year older than me, and he was like the bigger brother I never had. I looked up to him. He was my role-model. And I wanted to be exactly like him. And I remember the last time I ever saw him. The last time we ever spoke to each other. Before the accident that ended Derik's life.



My family was on the move to our house on Littlerock Road. We had stayed in a rental house for two years while the house was being built. And of course, my mom needed more help loading boxes than just me and my sister, so she asked her friend Doug if he could help us move. When Doug got there, he had brought his son, Derik, with him. So Derik, my sister, and I, went to play on the gigantic tree that stood in the backyard.



I had brought my neopet from Mcdonalds to the backyard so I could show Derik. I wanted him to be amazed. Instead, Derik and my sister started playing monkey in the middle with the neopet, on the tree. With me in the middle. On the ground. So of course I got upset and started wailing. So, Derik gave me my neopet, and left me alone.



Now, don't think that Derik was a bad guy. He wasn't. He was the coolest, nicest, guy in the world. And I never gave any thought I would have lost him forever.



When Derik and Doug left the house, I sat in my new room and was so mad at Derik and myself. But the days passed on and I healed up quickly like I always do. And one day, in the middle of August, my sister and I were riding our bicycles around the neighborhood. When we got back home, my mom was sitting on the front porch with her cell phone in her hand. She told us to come and she, slowly but painfully, told us the bad news.

Derik died from a quad accident. He was riding quads with his dad and they were having lots of fun. Derik decided he wanted to go off a ramp with his quad, and Doug told him not to go to fast. Then Derik rode of the ramp, trying to go the speed his dad intended, but failed severly. Derik and the quad flipped and the quad landed right on top of Derik. Doug quickly went to see if Derik was okay, but Derik was gasping for air. Doug put Derik in the back of his truck and called the ambulance while trying to comfort Derik. Then, slowly, Derik died.

Now some people might think this story is balony. Some people might think it's too sad too be true. But believe me, it happens. So hold on close to the ones you love. Hold on as tightly as possible and never, ever, let go. Because when I heard those painful words, I felt that life was NOTHING. And now, even though tears swell up in my eyes every time, I think about Derik every day. I never want to forget Derik. But even now the memories are fading away from my head. But I will always have Derik in my heart.