Goodbyes

I mentioned in my last post how sad it is to see my senior friends leaving school, but as I was thinking about it, saying goodbye isn't nearly as sad as I thought. Goodbyes can be difficult, painful even, but when you trully understand what it is, a goodbye can't really be qualified as "sad".

I've had to say some difficult goodbyes in the past. An old friend of mine is a marine and he was recently deployed for a second tour in Afghanistan. It's tough to say goodbye in this circumstance because it's accompanied by so much fear. People I've known who have departed this world for the next are always difficult because in these goodbyes one has to let go of the pain of loss while still holding on to the memory of them. One of my best and dearest friends, Emily, recently left for a six week service trip to Honduras. I'm so proud of her and what she's doing, but it was still arduous to let her go because summer is the only time we really have to spend in each other's presence at this point in our lives. One of the most difficult goodbyes I've ever had was with Emily and Jenny when we were leaving to start our freshmen years of college at three completely different schools. The three of us have had a very unique relationship. Nothing can ever end what we have, but it was still terrible to say goodbye because we couldn't be phsycially together anymore to help and support each other through everything as we had in the past, a tough realization for us. At the time, I thought this was one of the saddest moments of my life. And now I've said goodbye to the people who really, for me, made Rockhurst what it is. They were examples and models for us as freshmen. They introduced us to the ins and outs of the school. They were and are wonderful, spirited people who, though we'll still see sometimes, will be missed.

So what's changed in the past two years? Why am I no longer affected by sadness when faced with a goodbye?

I've grown and learned. I know something now about life's journey and God's plan (generally, not specifically). I know that every person I have to say goodbye to, no matter the circumstance, has their own personal path that they must take. At times our paths may intersect, for moments or for years, and at times they may run seperately. With some people, they may never intersect again until we enter eternity. How can I be sad, though, about someone I love following the path that God has laid for them? Even if they do stumble or leave their path, I have faith that they will find their way back. As long as I hold on to the memories we've shared and keep my love for them in my heart, how can I be sad about letting a person go so they can accomplish and see the great things that lay ahead of them?

Emily, Jenny, and I...one of the infamous pingpong table pictures

Chris Shaver, most rockin' senior!

Jon, Manny, and Kevin...a few other senior favs who will be missed