Goodbyes

I have been saying a lot of goodbyes recently, and I have learnt four things.

1. Goodbyes are interesting for who does say goodbye and who doesn't and how they say it. I have had a couple of real surprises popping up, that have left a really positive impression on me, and a couple of the expected who just didn't show that haven't.

2. Someone said to me, about a third party in fact, that the way you exit is probably more important than the way you enter.

3. Being "goodbyed out" is no bad thing. It is probably time to go when one feels the onset of "goodbye fatigue". Earlier is too early; there is more goodbye spirit in you to be spent, and later is just overstaying a welcome, or to be exact, a farewell.

4. If you have too many goodbyes, you can go onto the next phase of relationship! One of the most instructive goodbye was with some close friends who took me in for dinner. We parted a little teary, then I realised I have forgotten to pass some DVDs (that only play in The States) to them, so we went to get them, and say goodbye again. Five minutes later they phoned to say I had laft my jacket at their house, so I had to drive over and pick that up. By this time, we were over goodbyes and onto the next phase of the relationship. By this time it was more funny and practical than emotional. I am going to plan for something similar next time.