The Month of Goodbyes

I realized on New Years Day that this month (January) will be marked with many goodbyes.

Now, if you know me well, you know that termination (the fancy word we use in social work for endings) is not my most developed skill. In social work, saying goodbye is pretty bitter sweet. Most of the time it means that my client has gained new skills to manage life well without my services (YAY!), but it also means that I won't see that person anymore (BOO!).

Now in my personal life, I HATE GOODBYES!!! I usually fight off the final goodbye until the last possible minute and then cry for awhile when I/the other person actually leaves.

I know that this time, I am the one choosing to leave, but it is still so hard. It is even more tough to think that I may not see some people for a very very very long time --- or even worse, ever again. I have many friends planning to move abroad in the next 1-5 years, and some may not be coming back for a long time. :( On the other hand, I know that these people are/will be doing amazing things; so I guess I will just have to wait to see them at the end party!

Michelle Euperio's going away party on 01/01 in Dallas brought this Month of Goodbyes to my attention. Michelle's venturing out on the World Race for 11 months and will be back to Texas in December.



I thought all the goodbyes were going to be aimed at Michelle that night. But at the end of the night, some people had to say their final goodbyes to me, since they would not be around Fort Worth before I left in February.

The next day, 01/02, I drove back to Austin in a rush to say goodbye to Karen Wheeless, who will also be on the World Race for the next 11 months.

In the next four weeks, I have to say goodbye to my life in Austin: my current job, my neighbors, my current ministry, my church, and my friends. Then, I will travel to Fort Worth to say goodbye to my friends and family there. And then, off to England to meet new people that I will eventually have to say goodbye to. Its like a never ending cycle! I should just stock up on klenex now!

Awhile back I wondered whether it would be better not to develop such strong relationships with people, since I knew I would eventually have to say goodbye. Later I realized this was ridiculous since I have such God given and blessed relational skills. I guess goodbyes are just apart of life.

(Thankfully with technology, we are so much more connected these days! Hopeful plug to find me on skype! :)