Sparks

Goodbyes

By Julie Wilder-Sherman

Goodbyes can come in so many forms. 

There’s the long goodbye. The short goodbye. The swollen goodbye and the thin goodbye. The brittle goodbye and the overwrought goodbye.

Short goodbyes can be quick for so many reasons. You don’t like someone, so you want to get away. You love someone too much and each moment of your parting makes you feel worse. Short goodbyes can occur because you’re ready to move on. Or you’re afraid. Or you’re late for an appointment. Or you just don’t like situations that drag on and on. Short goodbyes can be a brisk hug, a handshake, or even dropping someone off at the curb at the airport.

Long goodbyes can be swollen with tears. They can get wet and messy and sweaty. Long goodbyes can leave puffy eyes and red noses. Long goodbyes can have kids tugging at their parents’ coats, rolling their eyes because the adults are taking too long. Or they can be kids grasping at their parents’ coat, clinging, begging and screaming to not be let go.

Goodbyes to friends as we move away. Goodbye to children as they grow up and step away from you and into adulthood. Goodbye to parents as their souls complete their journey on earth and leave the dimensions we understand to go on to the ones we don’t.

Goodbye to dishes and dining room sets that were purchased for weddings then sold after divorce.

Goodbyes to pets who trusted their lives to you, then went over the rainbow bridge to dog heaven. Or the kitty ranch. Or the goldfish ocean. Or hamster haven.

Goodbyes to what we know, what we want and can no longer keep. To what we no longer love or use or need. Goodbyes are realizing that when it was with you, it served its purpose and its work is done.

San Francisco native Julie Wilder- Sherman is a long-time resident of Petaluma, California. She began reading books at an early age, encouraged by her mother, who would allow her to take books to bed when she was as young as two-years- old. Julie would “read” them until she was ready to go to sleep. To this day, Julie reads every night before turning out the lights.

Please follow and like us:
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram