Everything in existence holds a certain value that differs from person to person. If something is truly valuable, then living without it can be incredibly difficult. Although many things fit this description, one thing makes my life complete. Ricky, my cousin, is someone I can relate with and makes my life easier. I value the relationship that I have with him, something that I had once taken for granted, and something I will never do in the future.

As long as I can remember, my cousin was always there for me. Ricky always stayed by my side in one form or another; distance never kept us apart and yet I long to go back to him, to go back to California, to go back to the summer sun. Whenever I need to converse, advice, or guidance, I could always count on him. Ricky showed me that it was...