four-minute friday: goodbyes
Go.
Jon McLaughlin said it best: I hate the sound that goodbyes make.
I’ve talked before about the revolving door of my life. I’ve said a lot of goodbyes in the past eleven-plus years as a missionary. It never gets easier.
I think my heart is more sensitive right now and she feels more deeply the sting in every farewell. The miles of distance seem multiplied. The sorrow that comes in the night feels heavier. Sigh.
I’ve been living in Ohio with my Kitty’s parents for eight months. Terry and Weezer took me in as one of their own daughters and made me feel very loved and cared for at a time I really needed it. Goodbyes were tearful when I left for Atlanta this week, and driving away from my W’ville home felt completely bittersweet in so many ways.
My heart is echoing today with my least favorite sound.
The one that goodbyes make.
Done.
Retired.
Good-by traffic jams. Good-by 24/7 working stress. Good-by alarm clock. Good-by 3.am wake-up calls to drive to Newark Airport for a flight to Carolina/Virginian/Florida, where ever the heck my company is sending me for the next eight weeks.. Good-by fogy/windy/rainy/snowy drives over the Tappen Zee Bridge. Good-by tums. Good-by learning new curse words on the highways. Good-by searching for a pit stop when lost on some back country road.
Hello life.
Goodby is never farewell for people you hold love for in your heart.
I hate that sound, too. I’ve definitely had my share of goodbyes and have yet to have a place to call “home” in my years of adulthood. It’s very unsettling. Alas, that is life as I know it. Hopefully we will find a place to settle soon. You continue to be in my thoughts and prayers. I can’t imagine how hard it was to leave Amy’s parents. I hope Hotlanta will treat you well. Love you friend.
i don’t like goodbyes either.
@moweezle says:
aweeee. my heart breaks for yours, cuz its been through soooo many good-byes too. Life of a missionary. Good-byes are more of the norm than hello’s. :( Love you girl!
So true…….goodbyes are more the norm than the hellos!
I had a 20 year old head-injured patient. An amazing young man who was unfortunately walking in the wrong parking lot at the wrong time and was beat up with a tire iron. He was one of my favorite people and I love him to this day. One day, in his crazy handwriting (he really couldn’t talk clearly) he wrote, “It’s hard to say good-bye. Time never stops.” I thought that was pretty profound and it pierces my heart to think about it. He laughed and smiled when he wrote it.
It’s true, good-byes can be hard … but, there are many hello’s for you to look forward to … many more blessings to give and recieve. You have the blessing of an amazing heart and the capacity for deep love … lots of people don’t have that gift or they allow it to be smashed and just stop there. It makes me smile to think of the lives waiting for a touch from the Lord through you … waiting for their hello!
Love you!
@atangie says:
After a sad good-bye I make sure a big mug of hot ginger tea from Tazo is close by.
Speaking of Tazo reminds me of Starbucks. You will be near a Starbucks, will you not?
So, they are advertising a free pastry on the 21st (with a purchase of a drink – psh – easy!). So if their campaign got all the way down to me I am sure that you already knew about it. Anyway – I just wanted you to be sure to get somethin’ free. :-)
So true Alece……
My heart too has been echoing with my least favorite sound……..
my mom wrote a brief line to me about your goobyes… and it went like this: “you officially have another sister.” It was equally hard on them… to have to “let you go”.
I love you. Missing you lots.
it’s not even that it doesn’t get easier.
it gets harder every.time.
wishing i could make your heart stop hurting… ’cause that would make one of us.
i agree. my goodbyes just keep getting harder.
and i’m in the middle of the most dragged-out and painful goodbye of my life. i truly, deep down, hope to God that it forever remains the most painful of my life. cause if it gets harder even than THIS… i just can’t even fathom my heart surviving that.
I love you, friend. I’m praying over your life that God shows you true shalom.
Would that I can tell you for certain that it will be the last. I think it will be, but I’m not the One with the plan.
An H/Delko marathon is sounding pretty good right now.
My heart is hurting with yours. But it was the sweetest hello! Waiting on Jehovah Raphael to heal your heart and restore your joy, knowing you will be found faithful.
Testify, friend!
Um. Jehovah rapha!! Stupid iPhone.
@cassgirl says:
If your ever feel like saying hello. pick up the phone.
“I won’t say goodbye. I only say in my prayers you are always here, so you are never far”
@chrystieecole says:
Ok, maybe too personal for only just “meeting” you…but did you move to Atlanta?
i moved down to the atlanta area for the next few months.
So, I come back here every day, multiple times a day… just for the familiarity of the Grit’s beautiful face.
I miss yours.
gasp.
i don’t even have a monday post. yet. let’s see if i have any magic left in me.
i miss your beautiful face, too, my rootabega.
@cassgirl says:
At least you are not an ocean away anymore!!
Love ya girl!
loving you fierce.
@cassgirl says:
probably not as fierce as I :)
We need to connect. I’m slowly working on it.
@chrystieecole says:
Well, welcome to the south! I am not terribly far away and visit Atlanta fairly regularly (my brother and sister and law live there). If you need anything, let me know! I will be glad to help!
thank you so much. that means a lot!
Wow. What a transition. I’ve been AWOL, I know … but I keep thinking about you.