Goodbyes

I have never been good at goodbyes. Yet, over the past year, I have said goodbye to friends who have moved out of town, friends who have moved out of state and friends who have passed away. Life is always evolving and changing.  However, many times it seems to do so at a snail's pace, until something more cataclysmic happens, such as a death or a move to distant parts. I've caught myself in a swirl of memories during those times, recalling happy moments from the past with those special people, wishing I could relive them so I could capture just one additional ounce of pleasure from the experience. The bigger lesson in these goodbyes for me has been to value each moment of each day, living in the actual moment instead of planning, worrying or living in a future that hasn't yet happened or to be stuck in a past that already was and may not have been as rose-colored as my memory chooses to recall. We are only given the present. That way, when the goodbyes do happen, they won't be met with regret, but, rather, with appreciation for having had the blessing of the relationship at all.

Saying Goodbye

I've never been very good at saying goodbye.  The act of separating from someone (and sometimes, something) can be very painful for me.  Recently, I saw a sign that read, "Say goodbye to the past."  I gasped as I read it because that's a huge challenge for me.  If I say goodbye to the past, I fear that I'll forget the wonderful people and experiences in my life and I don't want to forget them.  But the truth is, saying goodbye to the past is simply a letting go, which can be done while honoring our yesterdays and still living for today.  After all, the present is filled with too many gifts for us to ignore them.  So, with a grateful heart, I am making the transition to remembering the past and the many unforgettable experiences and loving people who have shaped me into the person I am today.  At the same time, I'm gently saying goodbye to it, realizing that today, this very moment, is all I really need.