It started in the delivery room at the hospital. You know what I’m talking about. A young mother went into labor. But junior turned out to be too big for his britches. The doctor turned to the soon-to-be-father and asked him to wait outside. He took her hand. He didn’t want to leave her. She told him she loved her and told him everything was alright. He loved her and said goodbye. He waited outside. But not for long.
The next day, the parents were holding and feeding their newborn. Te nurse came in and told them it was time for the baby to go back to the nursery. They didn’t want their child to go. But they loved him and said goodbye. But not for long.
Fast forward to nursery school. The parents dropped their child off. But they didn’t want to leave. They loved him so much. So they said goodbye and walked away. Yes, they watched from the window – for a while. But they said goodbye.
The family increased over time. They were all blessed with another child – and a dog. Many years passed. The children grew older and so did the dog. The funny thing is, dogs don’t live as long as their humans. And one day, after many many years of happiness, the family dog went to sleep one night. The children hugged him before they went to bed, just as they did every night. He never woke up. To him, he went to sleep just as he did every night, surrounded and loved by his humans. The next morning, the children cried when they realized they would never see him again. The mother and father cried as well. They would miss their beloved friend and family member. They loved him so, but they said goodbye.
Oh boy! College! The oldest child graduated high school and was set to go to college. His younger brother was sad. They had never been apart. Their bond was strong. Their love for one another was obvious. They said goodbye. When the father dropped his son off at college, he wasn’t quite sure what to do. They had never been apart. He looked back one last time. The love was evident. He said goodbye and briskly walked away. And yes, he turned back and looked several times while leaving.
Many years later, life had been good for the children. Their parents were getting older. And both boys found wives. It was hard for the parents to stop being parents and to let their boys go begin their adult lives with someone else. They truly loved those boys. But they knew, that especially because of that love, they would have to say goodbye to their old lives and begin something new. And they did.
Later on, they boys started their own families. But the mother became ill in her old age and was quickly called home. At the funeral, they all cried together and professed their love for the deceased. Then they said goodbye.
If you are reaching for the tissue now, don’t. This isn’t a sad tale. It’s the tale of life. It’s the story of growth and change, and how great and fulfilling it is. The fact is you will have to say goodbye sometimes. Time and Mother Nature will take care of that. You have no choice. The beauty is, that you had that precious time before needing to say goodbye. It’s going to happen whether you like it or not. So enjoy each and every moment until that time comes. It usually gets here quicker than expected.
In the meantime, just remember, if you love them, truly love them, learn how to say goodbye. and pass it on. It will be useful.
And now, this blog is finished. And it’s time for me to say goodbye. Goodbye.
