this is a forwarded e-mail Almira sent me
kahit na forwarded lang sya, i know she meant every word.
and im touched. deeply.

***
I JUST want to say "thank you." Thank you that we were always there for each other. In the short span of time that you've known me and I've known you, our very lives have been open to the other. An open book filled with creases and markings. Even the loose tattered pages we've allowed each other to see and to explore. Those pages whose colors have faded into yellowish brown, filled with cheap adhesive tape just to keep the pieces together. The translucent path covered by the tape bearing memories upon memories of mixed emotions. I have those pages in me. Torn pages from my own hands and from the hands I encountered long before I met you. Pages I've tried to conceal, pages I've tried to forget. But you continued to read on in spite of that. I have beautiful pages inside me too. Colorful pages filled with my own handwriting as I try to put into words the wonderful memories that I simply refuse to let go. You smiled with me as you came along these pages. Silly things that make my eyes water from so much laughter. Thank you for smiling with me as I re-read and relive those wonderful moments. Thank you for allowing me to turn a few pages in you too. I saw the pages that caused you so much pain, and I ached for you. I saw the pages that used to warm your heart, and I feel for you because those moments are no longer part of you now. I came along pages that you've tried to conceal from them, yet you trustfully allowed me to see, and I thank you for that. Thank you for the pages and thank you for the trust. And just when we thought that we had each other all figured out, we realized we're both wrong. For you cannot completely read me, and I, you, for as we turn each other's pages, new pages are born and added. And those pages are filled with both our handwritings. Pages we are yet to read, pages whose contents are still unknown to us. Thank you for marking my life. Though the pages we share are all brand new, they're filled with prints from the wonderful person I've found in you. As we continue to read on, I know there will be pages that will be hard for us to face. But whatever happens, I'll continue to believe in that person I met in the early part of these pages. The person whom I've come to treasure. And after all this is over, as we continue to turn our own pages, until we arrive at the closing chapter of this journey, I'll thank Him who is the author and finisher of this grand story for taking His time writing on those pages I've shared with you. Ours will be one of those pages I'll never get tired of reading, of reliving. Ours will be pages that will never fail to bring tears to my eyes as I recall fond memories. Ours will be pages that will never fail to make me smile. And though our pages are not as intertwined as we sometimes hope they were, though there is no "us" but only me and only you, though the stories are all about these wonderful pages of friendship... still, thank you for taking time to read me. And after all this, I hope that whenever you'll think of my pages, it will bring a smile to your face and add a little warmth in your heart, and you'll say, "That was indeed a good read!"