(Don't forget that your own projects need to be linked up under the original challenge post, though, okay? To be eligible for the awesome Prism prize, you need to link us up by August 25th.)

Here's Jamie's layout and her explanation behind it (which, btw, is completely moving).

Why did I choose this song and this layout? Well, to be honest, I am still at the phase where it is hard for me to  scrapbook my friend. So I am scrapbooking a wonderful memory. We took our senior trip to California and Disneyland. The song just represents to me what a small world we live in......

“It’s a world of laughter, a world or tears
it’s a world of hopes, its a world of fear
there’s so much that we share
that its time we're aware
its a small world after all”

I tucked a letter inside the envelope to my friend from me......it is the first time I have shared this with ANYONE except my husband. But I guess it is time.

My dearest friend,

Yes I know you are gone, but I need to write this letter to you. I need to say I am sorry for so many things.

After high school we went our separate ways and kept in touch a bit over the years but really were never as close as we once were. You were my strength growing up, you are the one who was always strong and taught me about God and how to have Faith. I was just joining the “Mormon” church and you helped me through so much in our high school years together. I know because of you and the example that you were to me that I was able to learn and grow so much.

I remember when you moved back and I was able to help you with the kids for awhile, I could feel our bond returning. At that time your husband was sick and going through chemo treatments, I was so happy to be a part of your life again, and to help in any way that I could. I wanted more than anything to return the favor you had given me through high school. I enjoyed our 10 year reunion together as we laughed through the night...although we were at different places in our life....you had left the church and I was focusing on my family and religion.....I could feel our friendship still strong, but I think you had a hard time being with me seeing how strong in Faith I had become while you were struggling. I wanted and tried to help you but I think it was taken the wrong way and you found offense in my offerings rather than a friend just wanting to reach out. I was so sad but knew you needed time. I tried, but knew that for now I just needed to allow you your space.

That space turned into a few years. I didn’t even know what you were up to, where you were living, or how to reach you. I had been thinking about you for a few months when I ran into your husband at the bank. I was SO excited!!! Now I would have the chance to reach you......until he said....”Didn’t you know we are not together anymore?”

Huh? What? I was at a loss for words. And here is my first apology. I am sorry for not just asking him for your number, I am sorry for not finding you, and I am sorry for sitting back feeling awkward ...wanting to call you but not really knowing what to say.

So more time passed....

Then the unthinkable....I got a call asking if I knew that your husband had passed away.

What?

I guess his cancer had returned and he lost the battle, I still really don’t know anything else but that. Someone had said that you moved back in to help take care of him. He had passed a week earlier and I didn’t find out in time to go to the funeral.

Now for apology number 2.....at this point I knew that I needed to call you, I needed to reach out to you, I felt a pushing, an urgency. I thought about it ALL the time.....but what would I say? How would you react? Once again, I figured that you needed some time.

About 5 months passed, all the while I was thinking about you, the urge to call you never did pass......

And then something started happening over the next 2 weeks......

I saw your husband everywhere, it started getting so often that I finally told my husband. I knew he had passed away and yet I saw so many people everywhere that looked just like him. I knew whatever it was it was something pushing me even harder to reach you.

That night I had a function to go to and I resolved that no matter what I was getting a hold of you THAT VERY weekend. No more “giving you time” it was time....time for me to not be worried about anything but you, and how you were doing.

I will never forget the phone call I got in the middle of my function.......

A call from another friend who I had not talked to in quite some time....

She wondered if I had heard that you had passed away just a day earlier?

I was so sad, and the thought of you hurting that bad broke my heart into pieces......

I am sorry. I know words are never enough and never will be. I am sorry I was too afraid to just pick up the phone, I am sorry you were hurting, I am sorry that I didn’t do something....anything. I am not saying that I could have saved you by any means, but I could have been a friend that maybe you needed. You taught me a lesson that I will never forget....

I will never doubt my intuition or promptings again...

I will never be afraid of knowing what to say....

I will never let another friendship fall away...

And I will never forget you. I love you.

Please forgive me,

Jamie