Goodbye

Goodbyes are difficult.

I am not sure where I am going with this so bare with me.

So, as I was saying, goodbyes are difficult. There is no easy way to say it, and in every situation it always hurts a little. There's usually some idle chatter, followed by a quick joke that leads head first into an akward silence that saps all of the strength out of your neck and both people end up looking at the ground. Then, look at each other, and not say goodbye exactly, but instead say, "call me when you get there". Or, "I'll chat with you later". Or "hey man, see you soon".

There's the "telephone" goodbyes which are usually clumbsy. One person usually has to get the last word, or the other isn't quite done finishing their sentences and usually leads to one or the other hanging up on the other person.

There's the in person, "see you soon" goodbye. This is a friendly goodbye. No one is going anywhere far. They both live in the same city or close enough where you could, at any time, see the other person.

Then there's the "long distance goodbye". One person is leaving for awhile but will be back. This is a hard one but knowing that there is no real danger and they are just going on vacation or something. This normally ends with "make sure my dog gets fed 3 times a day. See you when I get back" type of deal.

The worst has to be the "I'm leaving, not sure if I'll make is back" good bye. This is also currently known as the "I am going to Iraq" goodbye. Neither of you are really sure if you are coming back. You both hope and pray you will but not sure. This is the hardest one.

Lastly, there is the, "we have become such good friends over a long period of time" goodbye. This is where the other person is leaving and there's a good chance you will never see them again. You know they are going to be safe but you wish they were closer so you can stay good friends. This can also be hard, more of a good emotional than then "I'm leaving for Iraq" goodbye.

Again, sorry about the ramble. :)