Some people have a really difficult time saying they’re sorry. Not I. Being sorry is one of the first things out of my mouth when someone I know or love is not getting what they want from me. I would hazard a guess that most of the world hates to say “I’m sorry” because either they detest the fact that they might be wrong and or being right gives them that false sense of superiority that some of us need.
However this is about The Last Goodbye. The word “Goodbye” is the one word I am afraid of in the English language. There are many individuals that give us tacit goodbyes when they simply stop talking to us which is in effect a last goodbye but we weren’t necessarily aware of it at the time, and there are other more strong minded individuals that tell you right to your face: Goodbye! I admire those people because they have the guts to let go of something that just isn’t working for them and it takes courage to say goodbye. For the rest of us we hate to lose anything even if it’s something we don’t want.
And then there are those (not me) that bluff you with ‘goodbye’. They test your mettle to see if you can deal with them saying goodbye. These goodbyes I have never minded and often I have found they give me a feeling of instant relief. Most times though it’s like the boy that cried: Wolf and they are just pissed at you and say goodbye for effect. I usually don’t believe in these goodbyes as they are only in force for a few moments or a day or two at most.
I think I’m afraid to say goodbye mostly because it was someone that I loved and I hate the idea that they might be sad or hurt and I feel responsible for their happiness which of course is just a lie I tell myself but I just can’t help it. I know an alcoholic that once said that life is a series of hellos and goodbyes I guess its time for goodbye again. This alcoholic hates saying goodbye even when it’s the right thing to do.
*Inspired by David Cook.