Good Byes (November 2013) by Renee

When I stop to think about good-byes, I think about the big ones. The sad ones. The ones that haven’t even happened yet. But our parting traditions are generally so habitualized we hardly think about the gestures, phrases, and rituals we practice daily.

Parting phrases, in particular, click off the tongue like a compulsion, or run together like a meaningless alphabet soup of acceptable phrases (Brian Regan’s “Take luck and care for it” comes to mind). We rely on tradition and habit to make such transitions with minimal effort. But we do still take some time to acknowledge those transitions.  

Even in such a mobile culture, where we consider ourselves independent if not disconnected, we acknowledge separation. We express it. We use the air in our lungs moving through us to say good bye.

We say it in just about any context, whether it’s a daily occurrence or an extended leave. Even when it’s final, and someone is dead and arguably unable to hear us, we still say goodbye. In formal situations and the most un-ceremonial encounters. With people we barely know, people we meet in passing, and those we  hold most dear.

God is in our good byes. A Dios. A Dieu. Even in English, from “God be with you” to Shakespeare’s “God b’wy”, to modern day good-bye. Good-byes are scary. Even the small ones seem to sum up this questionable existence we have on Earth. So naturally we call upon God.  

Even if we don’t mention a specific deity, a good bye is often prayerful.  An appeal. A blessing. A hope.

Fare well.

Have a good day.

Rest in peace.

We can’t give these things to people, but we offer it like a gift. We wish it for them.

Our good-byes are expectant.

Au Revior. Hast la vista. Auf Wiedersehen

See you later. Until I see you. Until later. Catch you later. Like it or not, I will see you and I will latch onto you. This-is-not-good-bye Good-bye.  

It can be full of the most Intense emotions, or said without any thought or feeling, but the parting wouldn’t seem right without some expression.

 So long.

 See you on the flip side.  

 Smell you later.

 Piso Mojado  

 Live long and prosper.

 May the force be with you.

 Take it easy.

God bless.

Toodles (from the French, à tout à l'heure).

Remember we are all aspects of one universal soul (Or, Namaste).

Keep it real.

Happy trails.

Piss off.

I miss you already.