Dear Emily

Dear Emily,

First off I would like to apologize for my delay in writing this letter, it was never my intention to hurt or offend you. To be quite honest I have very fond memories of spending Sunday afternoons with you playing. I especially enjoyed coming to your home to ride in your Barbie car, as I did not have a Barbie car. It was always disappointing  when you informed me it was not charged or that you did not want to ride, which was not a problem for you because you owned said Barbie car. I digress. Our friendship was short lived for other reasons, reasons that are not entirely your fault but my own.

I will never forget riding home with you that Sunday afternoon; I was very excited (maybe because of the Barbie car, maybe not). We had had a delightful day in children's church & now would spend the afternoon together before the evening service. And then it happened. I looked over at you Emily, and you barfed. All over the car. To be quite honest I was horrified and disgusted.

Emily, you did not know this, but as a child I had an irrational fear of throwing up. The incident in the car only further solidified my worst nightmares. I know your father tried to make light of it by rolling the windows down & playfully tease you, but the damage had been done. As you will probably recall, when we arrived at your home, even though you felt much better, I promptly called my parents to come pick me up because I did not 'feel good.' Not true Emily, not true. I was traumatized.

For weeks following this incident you asked me to come over & I always made up an excuse. In fact, I avoided you like the plague. Our friendship ended shortly after. Emily it was absolutely not your fault you could not control your bodily functions, but my own strange issues. I am sorry that in my adolescent mind I blamed you. I am sorry that our friendship ended on unfair grounds. Emily where ever you may be, please accept my sincerest apologies.

Best Regards,

Kristin Holdeman, formerly Kristin Grubbs