MY FRIEND BB

I'd like to share my story of what BB meant to me.
He was more than a friend, as you will surely see.
He helped develop my potential in more ways than one,
And the whole time we did this, we were having fun.

I met BB early Christmas morn when I was only nine,
I woke bright and early, before the sun could shine.
I tore the wrappings off of him and didn't make amends,
Raced across the street to show him off to my friends.

My parents never worried when I took BB out to play,
They knew I'd be safe, and enjoy the entire day.
He went with me almost everywhere, except of course to school,
I wasn't allowed to have him in class, that was the rule.

As soon as classes were over, our day would begin,
We played until it was dark, mom had to call us in.
Once home feeling tired I went to my room to rest,
I took BB with me, we talked about doing my best.

BB challenged me everyday and soon my abilities improved,
My skills became consistent, I was performing in a groove.
I did well so fast soon people started to notice me,
They talked about my potential and how good I'd someday be.

Before I even realized, three years of my life had passed,
It was then I began to notice, BB was fading fast.
One day we played in the rain I saw a bump on his skin,
Then I became concerned when he started getting thin.

As we bounced along in the school yard, I didn't feel him touch my hand,
I stopped and turned to look back, he was laying on the sand.
I quickly ran over to him, knelt and held him close to my chest,
Then ran home as fast as I could, maybe all he needed was rest.

You never think a friend will die, that they will go on forever.

People say the best way to recover from a loss like mine
Is to go out and find a replacement of the every same kind.
Nothing could replace BB, he was with me from the start,
He helped me become an athlete, taught me to play from the heart.

Almost a year to the day, since BB passed through that door,
I played in a basketball tournament on a hard wood floor.
When it was over said and done, I was one of the five,
Selected as a first team All-star, how I wished BB were alive.
The gold cup is a reminder to never quit, give my all,
Because I was very fortunate to have a friend like basketball.