For Granted.

Yesterday I went to my friend’s facebook page to leave him a happy birthday comment. I just wanted to write him a little note so he knew I remembered his birthday, I wanted to wish him well.

Instead I felt my throat contract, my heart race, and my breath stop in my lungs. I was crying before I truly registered what I was seeing. I still don’t even know what had happened, but his page was filled with “I miss yous” and “RIPs.”

He’s gone. Just a few days before his birthday, and he passed away.

I met my friend in college, but I cannot even recall if I had any classes with him. I would see him in the art studios, the art club, and the computer lab. He just seemed like such a shy, quiet guy that I couldn’t resist trying to prod him into laughter with my absurd shenanagans. I would scream his name in the hall, give him obnoxious hugs, and make silly faces at him. I’m sure there’s other stupid things I can’t think of, but id always just try to get a reaction.

And he did laugh. He had such a beautiful smile, too.

After I left school, we became friends on myspace and aim, and we would instant message each other during work breaks and bus rides. I remember him being bored at work and writing to me, and id do my best to entertain him. I stopped using aim after a while, but we stayed in touch on facebook. He always had something nice to say, which is a rare quality these days.

My friend was an amazing artist. A painter, graffiti artist, printmaker, computer artist, poet, and I’m sure other things I never saw.

There is nothing more I regret than not spending more time with him. Sometimes you get so used to people being there, on the outskirts of your life, that you forget to realize how quickly life goes by, and how easily you can lose someone. You don’t stop to think that a comment someone left you on a photo could be the last thing you’ll ever have them say to you. You don’t always remember no one is invincible, and time never stops.

Pedro was an amazing guy, sweet, kind, always something nice to say. He was a talented artist, and a good friend. He thought I was funny, and as ridiculous as it sounds, I’m proud of that, and grateful that I could have made him smile.

I don’t think I can take anything for granted anymore. Everything and everyone that comes into your life can just as easily disappear from it.