Dear Özgün,
I’m writing you this letter with all my heart, love and treasured memories of you.
Although I won’t be able to send it, I hope that you will somehow see it from wherever you are. The last time we spoke was probably around eight or nine years ago, you’d text messaged me and said you were in London for a week or so. We didn’t get to meet up that time, I wish we had even if it was for a coffee, then I would have had more recent memories of you. Isn’t it funny though, how I can still remember the days of every summer holiday when we’d meet up and have fun together.
As I write this letter and look out my window, it’s grey and wet like it was seven years ago when you flew away from us. I wish I could turn back time and have stopped you from going or at least seen you once more before you suddenly became so ill. Time has gone by so quickly and life just isn’t quite the same without you. You’ll be pleased to know I see your amazing mum as often as I can when I go to Cyprus. She surprised me with a birthday cake two years ago, made it herself and pretended it was for Goknur Abla instead, hehe I couldn’t help but laugh. We keep in contact regularly, I’m always first to text her though. She’s so strong and really doing her best to be ‘okay’, she isn’t the same without you though, keep watch over her won’t you?
I’ve got a lot to tell you too, I miss you so much and our long chats, remember our last one at Milhan Abla’s wedding in the village, we tried to persuade your dad to let us have the car- yeah right! You were going to give me Maths lessons and in return I’d help you with your English, little did I know you were already so good that you were preparing for university in London.
I graduated in Journalism almost three years ago now, but not much luck in that field so I’ve decided to go into English teaching instead- you think I’ll be good enough? Don’t laugh, but some of the children in class are almost my height.
Remember when I stepped on Suzy by accident and got scared? I panicked and you smiled saying: “Don’t be scared. You stepped on Suzy, but its okay, go back to bed.” Those were the good days, the days I’d give anything to be able to relive again and the days we’d race each other to see who could collect the most shells. I kept them all, even the pebbles, they’re in vases now. Mum and dad got back together last year too, your Dad, Uncle, Grandma and Grandad, Asu and Selma (We keep in touch too) are all as well as they can be. We all miss you so much and think of you every day, thank you for visiting me when you can, it makes me smile.
My love for you is like a angel flying through the sky…
You’ll live in my heart forever till we meet again.
Love always,
Your cousin
Ceylan
