"More than a stunning debut. It is the announcement of a bold new literary voice"
—Stephen Chbosky, author of The Perks of Being a Wallflower

I’ve been meaning to write this letter for what feels like forever. Sometimes I think about you, and it feels unreal you’re not here anymore, and you had to go that way. One of my biggest fears, is forgetting the memories I have with you , those of which I can still remember. I want to tell you that I miss you so much. Sometimes I’ll be fine, but then I walk past your picture in the hallway, and my eyes are welled with tears. It hurts knowing this sadness will never go away, but it gets better with time. I feel really guilty, when I get happy, about being so preoccupied with everything going on , I forget to think of you. I’m just proud of myself for moving forward, despite the tragedies I’ve gone through.
The last couple of years have been eventful, to say the least. There have definitely been more downs than ups, but I’ve learned that I am worthy and capable of continuing on. Ate and kuya are both in college now, and I’m a sophomore in high school. I know it seems crazy. I know it was your dream, to see us all go through high school. I’d like to think you are watching over us, from wherever you are , and are proud of who I’ve become.
You didn’t deserve, to have what happened to you, happen, but you fought, and you went knowing you tried your absolute best. I know this may sound awful, but I am grateful you chose to be here for as long as you could, because it gave me more time with you. I’m pretty sure I get that tenacious characteristic from you . No one knows this, but the reason I work so hard is because I want to make you proud, and I will always try to for as long as I’m here.