And an airline ticket taking you on a journey
That doesn't include me.
Good-bye is singing the blues
While salty tears drain from my heart
Down my cheeks to my quivering chin.
Good-bye is an emptied room
Where we used to read bedtime stories, and
Have quiet talks of whispered truths
Painting a map in your mind.
Good-bye is a bouquet of daisy mums
With purple statis tied by a silky ribbon
Acknowledging what really matters.
Good-bye is a doorway
To a long aisle of white leading
To a smiling hello
And a lifetime full of possibilities.
Good-bye is
'God be with you,' my son.
11 comments:
How poignant!
This strikes home especially hard with me, as I celebrated my younger son's 8th birthday yesterday. There are many miles to go before that big goodbye, but I can see it looming. I don't think I'll be ready...
"Good-bye is an emptied room where we used to read bedtime stories." Wow! What a powerful description. One son married 8 years ago and a few months later the other joined the Coast Guard. The emptied rooms were very hard that first winter.
Oh I just could feel your heart. From the beginning..." taking you on a journey that doesn't include me" to the end "God be with you, my son."
Your heart is beating outside your body as you write this note to your son and remind us all that the good-byes of our children's lives are HELLOS to new stages and adventures.
I am feeling this too...not permanently yet, but still; it is awfully quiet...
Jaana, you are right. It is awful quiet. That quiet is what has prompted me to join the Slice of Life community, though, so it is a left-handed blessing.
Anita, I love your phrase "Your heart is beating outside your body". I have never heard that before. Thanks.
Everyone, it helps to know that I am not alone, that you can identify and that some of you have passed this way before. Maria, treasure every moment, especially the long tedious ones. We tend to want to rush those, and they are the stuff life is made of.
Thanks for sharing my lonely journey. It is not as lonely with you here.
Good-bye is an emptied room
Where we used to read bedtime stories, and
Have quiet talks of whispered truths
Painting a map in your mind.
I love these lines so much! The room may appear empty, Jama, but not if you can look in and remember those moments, right?
Tara, you are right. The room is full . . . Of memories.
Thank you for sharing your heart.
Oh Jama, my heart is right alongside you through this good-bye. I've been there as my son drove away to a new life 2,000 miles from home. It's a tough transition at first, bit slowly it gets better.
Thank you, Elsie. I trust that all will be well. We work ourselves out of a job, if we do the job well.
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