has anyone written a goodbye letter to a lifelong friend?

I’m in the process of ending a very long friendship (almost 41 years) and it’s up there as being one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. The background is in my posting history; basically I have outgrown the friendship and no longer like the dynamics that have become established between us, nor do I believe they will change. (Long story based on the history)

What really makes me sad is that I thought this friend would be my greatest cheerleader and in actual fact, she does not want me to achieve my greatest dreams. Not that she wishes me any ill will and I know she would like to see me being happy, as long as I don’t outshine her. This has been going on for some time and I have had enough - life is too short to be friends with someone who isn’t cheering you on 100%. Yes, we are human and have our ups and downs but when that feeling of ‘schadenfreud’ (spelling?) isn’t going away, there is a problem.

So I drafted an email and will be sending it to her in the next while - I expect she will contact me to wish me happy birthday later this month (or maybe not given her life circumstances)… I plan to have the call go to voice mail and then send the email afterwards. I almost broke down and cried as I was writing the email…

Anyone else done this? Did the friend respond?