How does one say good-bye
when it may be forever?
Does she look into the hearts and the souls
of those she loves
then smile at their beauty?
Does she silently wish for happiness for her beloveds
in an uncertain world
then smile at the possibility?
Does her body tingle with warmth
and gladness and love
for having known them?
Does she remember the good times
spent backpacking, cycling and breaking bread together
while deep contentment fills her heart?
Then as she watches their car drive out of sight
hands waving, faces grinning,
does she break down and cry
at the magnitude of her loss?
Yes. This is my experience at saying good-bye
when it may be forever.
For you see, my beloved friends Dave and Lieve came to visit. They live in Switzerland and have taken us on many unforgettable adventures in the Swiss Alps. Many years ago Mike and I bonded to them as quickly as Saran wrap bonds to itself. We have been unable to untangle ourselves since, but we haven’t tried.
They are a little shy so I cannot post a photo of them, but I can give you a glimpse into their hearts and souls:
Hearts
Souls
So, how do I say good-bye as they make their way back home?
I don’t!
I remember what Dave said to me in September 2012 when we last visited them in Switzerland. I had tears in my eyes at our parting as I knew I might never see them again.
He said, “We don’t say good-bye.”
I gave him a puzzled look.
“We say, ‘See you later.’ ”
The tears changed to smiles then as they changed to smiles this September 2014.
“See you later,” we all called to each other.
Even though all of us knew,
it might be forever.
My dear Gayle, I have said Good-bye to so many – family, human friends, and countless animal beloveds. I always cry, I don’t like saying good-bye! Plain and simple. There you have it. BUT: so, so many of those critters and people have let me know from wherever they have gone to, that absolutely there is a “forever” but the good kind of forever – in that yes, “See you,later!” also means, “So you think you can get rid of me that easily?!!” Which makes me laugh, and gives me so much to look forward to. I love you, Gayle!
Hi Rita, Yes, crying is definitely the appropriate response, but so is laughter and love–which you so eloquently described!
Gayle – you are an amazing woman! Your words are so profound. Glad to hear you are feeling better.
Thank you so much for your kind words. All women are amazing–no? 🙂
PRESENCE
In a gesture of prayer
I select a picture,
not a random gesture
no, the beauty in the photo
is arresting!
“Floating heart and cypress branch”
is the subtitle… in the Everglades…
is the place.
So I remember the old man…
sitting by the window overlooking the meadow.
From the previous year calendar
he selects the picture and cuts.
He is present to the picture
he is present to the beauty;
he becomes the beauty.
And in so doing he transcends time!
His love and attention are mine now!
We are looking at the same picture
and we allow ourselves
to be embraced by beauty and love.
It is the gift of presence!
Such beauty, Susana, thank you for sharing your loving heart and poetry with me. You make me dance in my mind!
Oh the sweetness of friendship can fill the heart with overwhelming joy! To experience that is a treasure beyond words. Although, you captured it so well with your beautiful description of those feelings. I’m so glad you have experienced those treasured moments with your dear friends!!! You have been and still are blessed today!
Thank you Sweet Debbie. You are one of those friends I treasure so much. As I’ve told you often: you are the blessing!
You are a great inspiration to all.
I love your verses on saying goodbye
Gayle, you speak for so many of us.
I love you so much!
Paula
Dear Paula, we all say our good-byes in our own special ways. Mine is with a hint of laughter and a sense of the temporary! So much in this sweet life to love isn’t there! I love you, too.
It sounds like the memories you’ve made with Dave and Lieve will certainly last forever and then some! How wonderful that you were able to reconnect with these special friends. Love the heart and soul photos! Love and hugs to you, beautiful Gayle.
Hi Canda, Yes, I dearly love my Lieve and Dave. (Okay, I’ll share them if I have to.) I plan on being around long enough to see them again–and you, too!
As we part, dare I say
that I will see you
another day?
We wave, we kiss
Tis’ sorrow be, but
alas, I feel this not
for me.
For love binds hearts
and souls together,
it is said that nothing
lasts forever.
So onward bound us into
the day,
“See you later”, sweet friends,
be on your way.
Love to you, Gayle.
Karen Coffey
Karen, this is a beautiful poem. I think you should write a poetry blog! But don’t worry, I am not saying good-bye yet. I’m only saying it to Dave and Lieve.
I know, dear friend…..I know. LOVE.
Now, about your blog….
Gayle, you provide such thought-provoking, love-filled contemplation. Beautifully put… love, friendships … see you later….
Okay, I’ll hold you to it! Happy you enjoy my posts: they are written just for you!
I treasure the beautiful words that you write.Thank you.
Hi Barbara, You’re welcome!
My sweet friend, you have given me so much this past year through your blog posts, but even tho you are far away and at times frail, you also have given me so much light and energy. When I first saw this post, I took in a breath, and then thought, no, “Not good bye.” as when the expectancy is a large space with no physical face to be again. Then I read each word with deep satisfaction, because I was pretty sure your expectancy is “See you later!” Then a little voice inside said, ” Remind her that ‘Goodbye’ is really a shortened version of “God be with ye! So perhaps when we say goodbye, we are actually sending a blessing with the confidence that we will see that special someone later. From time to time, when I catch someone’s eye, a smile breaks from within and the thought comes, “Oh there you are.” Hmm, do you recognize me? sometimes yes, sometimes, not sure…but a softness happens between us. It is so wonderful that you recognize so many, touch so many, weaving your way through life. Love You.
Sandra, how beautiful! I love all of these words. My good-byes were to my friends Dave and Lieve. I plan on being around a while. Or at least I’ll leave that in the hands of my maker! Love you, too!
Hi Gayle,
Always such beautiful thoughts to share. I am so sorry I missed when you stopped by the show 🙂 I would like to see you some time to give you the new book to add to your collection – ha …. let me know if that works for you at all… or I would be glad to mail it!
Please keep sending us your thoughts… they are so appreciated
Lynda
Hi Lynda,
I would be absolutely honored to have your new book. Your artwork is phenomenal! I would also love it if you joined a few of us some Sunday morning. We are still meeting here at 10 a.m. to do art. You wouldn’t have to teach or facilitate. You only have to have fun!
I think your friends said it well. “See ya’ later.” My experience is that no matter who it is
that has left or where it is that they have gone I carry a piece of them with me…no matter where I go or who I am with. The mere act of having joined our lives leaves me the assurance that we will always be part of one another. Love you my dear friend and always love your writings. <3
Hi Kat, I love the way you think. You are with me, too, and I must say, you don’t weigh a thing. I’d break out into song, singing “She ain’t heavy, she’s my sister,” but I’ll save you the embarrassment of pretending you like my singing. 🙂
Thank you, Gayle. Your beautiful words do so much to stir our hearts and minds and take us to that place where there is nothing more important than LOVE itself! With the precious memories of our loved ones only as far away our hearts, and therefore safely tucked inside us forever, the essence of our connection remains intact no matter what…doesn’t it?
Sending you love, prayers and blessings!
Beautifully expressed, Sandi. Yes, I agree, there is nothing more important than LOVE itself! You are so lucky to live that–and spread it to others.
It was forever, but maybe there is no “forever”. Maybe “See you later” opens, and keeps open, the door of endless possibilities.
RIP Sweetheart
Your loving Michael