Time to stop, drop, and write with the Gypsy Mama. Today's word draws memories near and dear to my heart as I move into this summer.
GOOD-BYE
We'd barely said hello, but in two months we'd been knit together - hearts, minds, souls. The kind of friendships bred by choice to share everything, even when it hurts. Friendships refined by fire. Sounds perfect. Is ideal.
One problem.
Good-bye always lurks around every hello. Every day is numbered.
We live all over the country. Transitioning out of college into jobs, careers, pursuing dreams, callings. Every hello is anticipated, celebrated. Good-byes are mourned.
Our last night together threatened to break my heart. I had never experienced that depth of pain, I doubled over in the parking lot, trying desperately to hold it all together. Failing miserably. Once I crossed the lot, once the apartment door closed, the good-bye would be real.
We knew the day would come. One of us counted down our days, reminding us that each was a treasure. Make the most of it. Build memories. Conquer mountains - literally, figuratively. We did it all, cementing the friendship, building strong memories, not fleeting moments.
And we determined, we promised we would never say good-bye. Good-bye is final. Too permanent.
I will always see us as we were that last night - twenty plus crammed in an apartment saying everything and nothing, just being, because everything had already been said. Sealing the moments, treasuring with tears, and hugs and laughter, the kind produced by the idea of a goodbye but affirmed by the knowledge that with these kinds of friendships it is never goodbye.
It is always and forever "see you soon."
Is there a person in your life that you can never say goodbye to?
GOOD-BYE
We'd barely said hello, but in two months we'd been knit together - hearts, minds, souls. The kind of friendships bred by choice to share everything, even when it hurts. Friendships refined by fire. Sounds perfect. Is ideal.
One problem.
Good-bye always lurks around every hello. Every day is numbered.
We live all over the country. Transitioning out of college into jobs, careers, pursuing dreams, callings. Every hello is anticipated, celebrated. Good-byes are mourned.
Our last night together threatened to break my heart. I had never experienced that depth of pain, I doubled over in the parking lot, trying desperately to hold it all together. Failing miserably. Once I crossed the lot, once the apartment door closed, the good-bye would be real.
We knew the day would come. One of us counted down our days, reminding us that each was a treasure. Make the most of it. Build memories. Conquer mountains - literally, figuratively. We did it all, cementing the friendship, building strong memories, not fleeting moments.
And we determined, we promised we would never say good-bye. Good-bye is final. Too permanent.
I will always see us as we were that last night - twenty plus crammed in an apartment saying everything and nothing, just being, because everything had already been said. Sealing the moments, treasuring with tears, and hugs and laughter, the kind produced by the idea of a goodbye but affirmed by the knowledge that with these kinds of friendships it is never goodbye.
It is always and forever "see you soon."
Is there a person in your life that you can never say goodbye to?
There's always a point when the good-bye becomes "real," isn't there?
ReplyDeleteLooks like strong friendships you were blessed to develop! Good five minutes post.
Good-Byes can be final or a starting point. Cherish the memories of being crammed into small apartments! They will get you through the tough days! Great post.. :)
ReplyDeleteOhhh, good-byes ARE hard . . . and changes . . . and thankfully as believers it can always be "see you later".
ReplyDeleteSad...by the time I went to college, I had said so many good-byes that I had built walls around my heart. My memory like this is high school and was such a good time. I still have those friends via FB....35 years later.
ReplyDeleteOh, the memories! My advice - no matter how hard it is try, try to really keep in touch with your friends through the years. The friends of your youth are the ones who know you in no other way, and they see you grow in no other way! Blessings to you!!
ReplyDeleteAmen, my sister! It seems as if we had the same perspective about goodbyes today from Five Minute Friday. So thankful that we have a promise of an eternal reunion, no matter WHERE the world takes us. Blessing to you!
ReplyDeleteSharita, thanks for reading! I'm thankful for the promise of forever promised in scripture. It makes separation easier and reunions sweeter.
ReplyDeleteBrenda, thank you for that encouragement. It's so hard to hold on to those sometimes in the business of life. But, these people are more than worth it. Trusting the Lord here!
ReplyDeleteI've built walls, and it's a constant battle to remember that God calls us to be authentic and vulnerable so that people see Jesus in us. I'm thankful for these friendships that pick up where we left off no matter how long the seperation. I'm thankful you still can connect with those friends!
ReplyDeleteIsn't that a blessing? Thank you for visiting, Loni!
ReplyDeleteThere are days when I ache from missing these friends and would give anything for them to be closer, but I love seeing how we grew crammed in the apartments, and I love seeing how we can encourage and challenge each other where He has us spread out all over the country. One day, we will get to celebrate His faithfulness in one place and see how He used each of us in the separation.
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading, Caroline. Good-byes are rough, but I'm thankful that don't have to be forever!
ReplyDeleteI know those good-byes too well. And it as nice as a Christian to be able to say, "See you again . . . the sooner the better." Sadly the promise of heaven isn't always enough to stay the pain of the moment.
ReplyDeleteNo, it never stays the pain of the moment. There are times where I ache for those memories, those stolen moments, the hugs and laughter with these friends. But, remembering the promise of heaven puts the pain in perspective. It motviates rather than deters. I remember the friendships are eternal even if I never see them on this earth again. Thank you so much for stopping by, Sheryl. God bless!
ReplyDeleteEvery word is so true
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting, Ruby!
ReplyDelete