was just a girl of 14 when I met Gabriel. He wasn't much older, and was struggling with growing up, like me. We became friends and had lots of fun together.
       What came between us, I can't remember. There were harsh words and tears. The image of his rain-soaked hair and the tears sliding down his cheek is seared on my mind. I wanted to make things right, but lacked the courage and didn't know how. The situation seemed too complex to salvage. Gabriel and I grew further apart.
       Years passed, and I didn't hear much about Gabriel. Then in April 1998, mutual friends let me know that Gabriel was in a coma. He had fallen 30 meters while mountain climbing. My heart stopped. I knew in that instant that I would never see him again. The doctors did what they could, but Gabriel died a few weeks later.
       For some time afterwards I would lie awake at night, wishing I had resolved our differences and seen our friendship through. I was sure that any chance for that was now past. I wondered if he had forgiven me for the hurt I had caused him. I wondered if, when he looked down from Heaven, he could see and understand the pain in my heart.
       Then one night I got the answer to my question. It wasn't a long or elaborate answer, but it was everything I needed to wash away the regret I felt. I distinctly heard a voice in my head— Gabriel's voice—say, “I always considered you a friend!”
       Tears filled my eyes. I knew all was forgiven. My heart was at peace.
       I vowed then and there to never again end a day without making things right with those I may have hurt or offended. I may never have another chance. Today may be my only opportunity to show someone I care, to say “I love you” and make things right.

*  *  *

The difference between holding on to a hurt
Or releasing it with forgiveness
Is like the difference between laying your head down at night
On a pillow filled with thorns
Or a pillow filled with rose petals.
                                                                — Loren Ficher