Reunion: a reuniting of persons after separation
-Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary
The Joy of Hello:
Because my parents live so far away, we usually only see each other once a year, twice if we're lucky. I can't sleep much the night before they arrive here or we leave to go visit them, because I can't wait for the moment to arrive. Whether I'm waiting at the airport for them to come through customs or I'm sitting on the plane, whiling away the hours in the air, the anticipation just builds and builds and builds. And then, there we are, together again and the smiles on our faces could light up the whole arrival area. I see the same kinds of smiles shining on the faces of the people around me and I know that we are all feeling way: like there's a sun inside you making you feel all warm and happy and loved.
The Sadness of Goodbye:
Time flies by so quickly when we're together and before I know it, it's time to head to the airport again and time for my throat to constrict and the tears to start welling up in my eyes. I try really hard not to cry but if I see my mom starting to tear up too, that is the end. Sigh. I hate saying goodbye.
Resolution:
I need to accept that, until teleportation becomes reality, there's not much I can do about the distances that separate us. I need to learn to live in the now and just enjoy the moments that we do spend together, not dwell so much on the time that we are apart, to appreciate what we have and not think about what we do not.
This will be my goal when we head home for the holidays this Christmas. I will focus on hello and I won't say goodbye. I'll stick with the German 'Auf Wiedersehen,' which I like much better.
'Til we see each other again.
