Day 4 - 161 -- Bidding Farewell

I've written before about the difficulty I have leaving home to go somewhere else for several days or weeks. I realized that this same feeling happens at other venues. I often feel a bit teary when the professional conference ends. I know it will be a while before I see many of my friends and colleagues again. That, and this group of people have taken on a 'family' feel with me, so again, the end of the gathering can feel like the end of a reunion. The conference for me has felt like coming home for many years now. I still need to unpack that one <smile>. Leaving as well as knowing others are going in many directions and won't be in one place again for a year or more can challenge those emotions. I've had this feeling for places I've found comfortable and might even envision myself being able to live there. I've had this occur in many places, but not all, throughout my travels. So -- again I need to reflect on this to get the emotions unpacked a bit more, but for now I just accept that is who I am <smile>.

When leaving the conference yesterday before the final session had occurred, I did feel those same emotions and felt a tear or two. I thought through several songs to get to what was said as we took our leaves. I generally say 'see you soon.' It is what I hope or wish for in my heart. Goodbye seems rather formal and final and actually difficult to say. The selection shared here put that feeling into words well. The composer and lyricist did a fine jobs as does the singer who was part of that pairing. Enjoy!

Friends Never Say Goodbye -- Elton John