This country has seen daily rain for the last three months, every day the sky is weeping for our land. But this morning was something different, there were no clouds at sight and birds were chirping in joy. Today is an special day, it is Cassie's birthday and even Mother Earth wants to celebrate that it's been three decades of joy and laughter.
It seems like yesterday when I started writing about her, a young boy barely out of his teen years being smitten by the most beautiful person he's ever met. I can still remember the feeling of electricity running through my skin every time I heard her voice being accompanied by that smile. Little did I know, that was the start of an ongoing story that has been in the making for more than 10 years. Even if I knew she would be in my life for so long, I wouldn't change anything from the past.
Not even if this meant not having the worst heartbreak of your life for the shortest, yet most idolized relationship you've ever had? Or saving years of hating someone for "stealing" someone who was not your belonging to begin with, then realizing the truth and really hating him? Yes, not even. Because even that idolized version of her, helped me grow up and find the path to my true self. Possibly, one of the most important figures in my life for being the catalyst for a great change and the drive to keep going.
Why Cassie? I remember one of the first times I was able to pay attention to her speaking, without being distracted by her looks, and she made one of the most dumb comments I ever heard. My initial thought was "Well, it was good while it lasted", but I keep on listening to her, and by paying attention I realized she was not just another cookie cutter dumb rich girl, she was very smart but with the naiveness and curiosity of a puppy, which transformed her into the most adorable human being in this planet. Luckily for my memory, there was a character in an UK show that was just like her, therefore the name.
The view from afar gave me the impression that everything was great. Cassie was getting happily married and graduated with honors for the career we both wanted. She was working in one of the best hospitals in town with a great team to support her. She was even posting pictures with her family and her in-laws with all the looks of a great life. She always had that smile.
I was too proud to admit that I was envious of her and her life, she had everything that I wanted. But I thought that our lives went separate ways but the higher plane decided otherwise, and then I realized that what you see through the looking-glass may be a distortion in reality. She had her ups and her downs in life, yet that is not my story to tell. However, at the end she came through the adversity and decided to take another adventure in life.
Cassie is turning 30 today, finding herself as an improved version of when we first met, however still working towards improvement. She may not realize it, but she is a role model for other people in her life. Personally, there are not enough words or time in this life to express how proud I am of her and blessed of her impact in my life. I'd be happy to be part of this journey, even as an spectator, for as long as we both live.
I love you Cassie, Happy Birthday.
R.A.Pastor
