"How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard," Winnie The Poo.
I don't do goodbye's well.
Everyone at church knows it too. I'll be at church with some friends, you know, "fellowshipping" at the end of service and I'll glance casually at my
A) The Broad Goodbye
Announce to everyone, "Okay, it's time for me to head out!" Following this declaration comes a series of goodbye hugs and endless chit-chat as to when we'll next see each other, ect. This usually takes a good 15 extra minutes. Or,
B) The Hightail Get Away
This has taken a good amount of practice. First, I always have my bag with me as if to say "I'm ready to go." Second, I usually break away from any conversation and make sure I pretend like I'm, say, looking in my bag for something, so that everyone knows (subconsciously) that I'm no longer apart of their conversation. Then I slowly back away from them, looking distractedly at either the sky, the ceiling, or a spot on the wall. And lastly, when I'm already out the door, just so I'm not being too rude (and only on occasion) I'll say so only a few can hear, "bye!" And then I'm out! I walk quickly, but not too quickly, to my car. I usually only get stopped by like, one or two people on my way out.
You see, I may be a talented escape artist, but I don't do goodbye's well. And I'm not only talking about crowds of people at church.
My good friend Coreen joined the Navy and is leaving for boot camp. I didn't really get to say goodbye, and it wasn't on purpose. She knows how much I care about her, so that's not what I'm worried about.
She's been a gift from God to me; the closest friend I've ever had. She's been there from the beginning. We were both saved around the same time and, together, we encouraged one another in our faith. We did it mostly through letters. Sometimes it was easier this way, especially through high school, as we didn't have any classes together until our senior year. which was awesome. (Not the "having no classes" but having a class together). She always put herself aside so she could be there for me.
To say the least, I will miss her. We'll still write each other, so that won't change. But I will miss her.
I don't do goodbye's well.
Friends like Coreen are found once in a blue moon, but they're out there. Look at David and Jonathan from the bible. Ask God to place someone in your life that will genuinely care about you and be a true friend.
After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as he loved himself. From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return home to his family. And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt.(1 Samuel 18: 1-4).
I really don't like goodbye's. At all.
P.S. No hard feelings to all of my church nerd friends. Ya'll know I love you. But I'm sure you also realize I hardly ever say goodbye. It's terrible I know.
