Saying Goodbye

My family has struggled these past few years, as do many families, with our own share of sickness and saying goodbye. Goodbye to friends and loved ones, goodbye to familiar ways of life, goodbye to the sounds of someone we came to know and grew to love.

Sometimes I wonder if we really know the power of goodbye, its grace, its finality. For many Native Americans, we try not to say goodbye, not in the same way. See you down the trail, until next time, keep your heart open, something like that. But this practice is not limited to any one culture, tribe, or region.

I think what we mean to say is I love you, I miss you, see you soon. What we often say is leave me alone, go away, don't bother me. Same words, different intention, all in a simple goodbye.

For the tenderhearted, it can be a lonely place. But it doesn't have to be.

It can all change with hello.