A friend that I always missed

I finally got to talk to mom since she came back from her trip to Montreal. My dad and my brothers were born there. My mom was born in New Brunswick. We moved from Montreal when I was 13. There were some horrible memories there but there was some great ones. There was this friend that I had that I thought she was going places. I really look up to Latasha. Her parents were east Indian but she fought her Indian customs. She had a younger brother that was born in Canada. So he didn't have to grown up in all the rules as she had to.

She told her parents she was Canadian there was no way she was going to live the life they wanted her to live. One of the east Indian custom is when Latasha was born her parents had picked out her husband. On her 18th birthday she was to meet and marry her new husband. I remember her telling me that she'd never follow those rules she wasn't going to marry a guy she never met or loved for that matter. She was her own person and no man was going to tell her what to do. She had a mind of her own and that's that. She said she'd run away before that happened. What she was saying wasn't normal to me. Cause my mom ruled the house. Dad may have tried but always lost when it came to mom. So at the young age of 11 - 13 I learned that the customs of the east Indian women were not like the Canadian custom. This was a struggle that I saw Latasha go through.


Her parents were wonderful people. Don't get me wrong they treated me as one of their own. I excepted their way of life. I think this is why they let me into their world. I was and am very greatful for all that they did for me.
Her dad had a turban I was such a curious kid. One day I saw him unwrapping it so I made sure I ran into the kitchen to see. He was a bit surprise cause he was such a private man. Once he saw me he was unsure of how I'd feel about his hair. I ask why his hair was so long. He answer the question at my 12 year old level. A Indian man strength was in his hair and if he cut it he would lose all his strength. So me being me I got worried about his son. I asked why is your son hair cut short now he won't have strength when he gets older. Well he laughed and said well my son was born in Canada so it's ok. So that satisfied me and I went on my merry way. But I will never forget how long his hair was. I'm sure it was 20 feet long. Latash dad was in his late 40's and he never cut his hair. So you can imagine how long his hair was.


I I lived in a strict house so did Latasha. I think that is why I was allow to hang out with her. She was 3 years older than me so I look up to her. She was one of my hero's. She always took the time to hang out with me and answer my never ending questions. She'd sit there and tell me her hopes and dream. She wanted to go to university and take doctoring or something like. She'd day dream of falling in love all the stuff that a young girl dreams off. She wanted to explore the world. She wanted to try everything that life had to offer. I lived through her eyes. I thought boy I wish I could be just like her. Cause she was going to become someone important. But the summer before my 14th birthday we moved out of Montreal. We moved to Calgary were there were more jobs. Then a year after that we moved to Ontario. Then I moved here. So through the years I've wonder how she was. When I was 24 I asked my cousin who lived in Montreal when she came down to visit us in Ontario. How Latasha was doing she told me the last she had heard was she was going to university. That was last time she heard from her.

So to get back to my mother and I talking. Mom said " I have something to tell you. Remember your good friend Latasha. I know you've always wondered what she was up to so I asked your aunt about her. Well at the age of 21 she was sky driving and her shot didn't open up. She plunged straight down and died.

Well I was shocked. Words can't describe the feelings that was going through me. I wanted to scream, yell, cry, ect. I was so upset. I thought one day I would get to see all that she accomplish. I always wanted her to meet my daughter I'm sure she would of loved her.

Then my thoughts went back to the time she was telling me her hopes and dream. She would talk with such passion about what she was going to do with her life. I thought she was doing all that she wanted to all these years but I was so wrong. She didn't get to enjoy all of what she wanted to. But then I thought she was sky diving so maybe if she was going to leave this world then why not leave it in a big way.

So Latasha your stay on this earth may have been short. But I will always remember your gentle soul. I will always remember your patience with a young kid that had to many question to answered. But you took the time to answer them all with patience and understanding. I just want to say thank. I will miss you my dear friend!



Life is way to short not to keep in touch with people. So keep in touch with friends old and new. I know they will be thankful just as I am with all of you!
Cherlee