Goodbyes on Goodbyes

Tis the season of goodbyes. And goodbyes suck. Even if they are "see you laters" that doesn't make them any easier. But, as I've been saying a lot of them lately, I've realized a lot of important things.

People have many different views on these goodbyes. Some people say they aren't really such a big deal; I'll be coming home in just a couple months after all. And then there are other people who see these farewells as completely devastating events that elicit many many tears to be shed aka my mom. I think I'm somewhere in the middle, but there is one thing I know for a fact. These goodbyes can really reveal to us the kind of people we are and are SO important.

Really be in the moment of each goodbye. I've realized that it is actually really cool to see someone feel so sad to say goodbye to you. Ok, I know that sounds really weird, but what I'm trying to say is that if someone has a hard time saying goodbye to you, it means you really mean something to them and made an impact in their life.

As I say goodbye to all of the different kinds of people that make up my life, I am beginning to see that I have made my mark. I have been a part of people's lives in a way that makes it hard for them to leave me. And not only is it hard for them, but it is extremely hard for me too. Be grateful for those hard goodbyes. Be grateful for the pain you feel after leaving your best friend. Be grateful for every tear that streams down your face at your last family dinner. Be grateful that you have people and memories in your life that have touched you enough to stir up real hurt in your heart.

Goodbyes are never easy, especially when we say goodbye to people and things that have been such huge parts of our day to day lives for so long. But let these goodbyes show you how you have made a difference in someone's life. Let these goodbyes open your eyes up to the special and unique relationships that you have accumulated over the years.

Some of you are probably thinking that this whole article is very over exaggerated for anyone just leaving for college (most of which are coming back home to everything they said goodbye to in a very short period of time). But, it's not really like the goodbyes just symbolize a few months of sadness without your friends and family, they symbolize the huge changes that are to come in each and every one of these relationships. Of course, you will stay in touch with many people, but things will never truly be the same as everyone is moving on to a new life. It is weird moving on from what is so familiar, from all the things we took for granted because they were just so normal to us. But, that's life. Things change. And while change is so good for every individual, change is also really hard, no matter how small that change is.

Goodbyes are just the beginning of these changes. Let them fill your heart instead of empty it. As a wise bear Winnie the Pooh once said, "How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard."

Goodbye home. Goodbye Seattle. Goodbye Issaquah High School. Goodbye friends. Goodbye family. I'll be seeing you real soon.

xoxo SOCO <3