Saying Goodbye

I have left many countries over the years and my home country every year, so I am an expert at farewells when you are heading off on a new adventure or just a continuation of one already started. For some, the goodbyes start as soon as you decide to move but for others when your resignation letter is handed in. I hate the term goodbye- it is so final and for many people, it isn’t really goodbye, but a see you later.

This past month was no exception. There are the public goodbyes at a staff meeting or email. My school decided that a tag at the end of an email stating that I had decided to change my career was the way to go. The student and parent goodbyes, “coolest teacher ever whom I will never forget”. From people you met years ago, and those who you met last week. And then those from colleagues who have become closer- your family and support system away from home. Some are silly and fun, and some are bittersweet.

The past two weeks I’ve been out with my core group several times for dinner, drinks, and walks. I even got invited out to a jazz event from my grade-level partner. It’s been great, but the most amazing part of all was a friend, Kate, who flew in over her fall break as a surprise. Real friends fly in for your farewell even if they don’t live in the same country anymore. She needed to get some paperwork done and her school’s break coincided with my departure. It made this week even better and more poignant. We are incredibly silly together and when our friend Carmen made us take too many pictures hugging this is what she got.

For a very short two days, we crashed in our very good friend’s apartment, drank too much, ate too much, and laughed a lot. Thank goodness her boyfriend was away, so we let the estrogen flow.

I do think this is harder on the ones being left behind because their surroundings which used to include you are forever altered while the one leaving is mapping out a whole new reality. Sorry Carmen, but you have your man back in a few days to console you.

It’s not just the people that you are saying adieu to, because as Kate proved you can run into them anytime, but you’re also leaving the place behind. The restaurants or shops or other places you spent your time and energy on. So very early this morning I left Carmen’s apartment in the dark pre-morning and was blessed with an amazing sunrise (that matched my hair colors perfectly) as I was getting onto the plane.

So see you later, Albania I am so glad I came and met so many amazing people, tried new things, and had an amazing time.

Sadly, when my plane landed back in Canada I had a message of one more real goodbye. My dear friend from South Korea, Heidi passed away while I was in transit, after a long and valiant fight against cancer. Their loss is a heavy burden to bear, and my heart aches with grief. Heidi was a remarkable person, and their memory will forever be a source of inspiration and comfort. During this difficult time, I find cherish the moments we shared with my dear friend. This is one goodbye that is permanent and is the saddest kind. I hope her family has the comfort of knowing she loved them hard, so she fought hard, and now her pain is gone. Rest well Heidi, you were loved.