Notes

It is truly remarkable how precious of a gift a friend is. A true asset to your life, who will tell you how it is, without flattery and pretensions, who will make you feel like 'someone', not just a faceless being strolling through the crowd.

I have known such a friend for 7 years. I had the pleasure of first meeting him back in 2004, yet I can still recall that day in great detail. From the very first time we met, we knew there was a peculiar connection between us. While we were talking, I noticed that we could gracefully share our thoughts; we listened to each other, agreed on most subjects, and, if in a disagreement, we had lengthy debates, sometimes spanning for 4-5 hours. These 'conferences' were very insightful and thrilling, I have a lot to thank him for. I have learnt plenty during these 7 years.
One single week did not go by without us talking, be it face-to-face or online. We called each other 'bro', pretending to be brotherlike. Us two very well could have been brothers for all I know, we watched movies and series' together, played board- and video games together, spent nights together (no homo). This went on for years, and tediosity was never a problem. I am proud to say I looked up to him, as he did the same to me. Never since have I had my mental intelligence be stimulated to such extents during conversations.

Alas, with time, his nature changed. He let himself be corrupted by his own ego, his obsession with himself. He was always an immensely bright fellow, thus he could obtain money and the like with ease.
Yet he needed more self-approval than anybody else I knew. Constant boasting, high-and-mighty attitude: this was him, what became of him. I told him how it is, like friends are supposed to do, but he always went on the defensive and came up with foolish excuses. I tried to change him, but he did not let me. I did not want to make the same mistakes, so we started to converse less and less.
Eventually, we stopped talking altogether. Seven years of friendship went down the drain just like that.
It is truly fascinating how easy it is to lose what you hold dear. But through the pain of loss, one can emerge as a better person. I had to move forward, just like he taught me many years ago.