.
In the 2010 music Video by Rascal Flatts entitled “Here comes Goodbye”. The opening scene shows a man talking to a little boy who is playing with a truck.
The man explains he had a truck once given to him by his grandfather. The man talks about the passing of his grandfather and the love of that truck.
His last statement in the scene is “sometimes life just seems like chapters of goodbyes.”
We find out later in the video that the man has died and the little boy who he is talking with has come to guide him to heaven.
I have heard that song thousands of times since it came out. The actual song references a breakup of a relationship, but the video focuses on the passing of a young woman’s son and now father.
When I saw the video, I formed a new meaning to the song, and it somehow hit closer to home for me.
I haven’t had a lot of loved ones pass away. Actually, I am incredibly lucky. Besides grandparents My life has been relatively free from the pains of death.
When my close friend died in April with no warning, no goodbyes, just there one minute and gone the next. It hit me hard. Extremely hard.
Probably harder than it should have for someone my age, but it is what it is.
Goodbye is a word we all say without even thinking, as we head to work, leave a friend after a visit . In reality we use it casually in our daily lives without giving it a second thought.
I saw the video shortly after Dennis died and it really hit home.
As I reflected on the statement from the video “sometimes life just
seems like chapters of goodbyes” the word goodbye took on new meaning.
My life, like yours, has been a series of adventures that have taken me to many different places to live, work and play.
When I think about all the goodbyes I have said over the decades it really does reinforce the quote above.
I have said goodbye to friends in school who moved away. I said goodbye to classmates in June of 1982, many I will never see again.
I have said goodbye to jobs, coworkers, and bosses.
I have said goodbye to towns and neighbors.
I have said goodbye to dear friends as I have moved from place to place.
Some stayed in touch, others drifted away.
I have said goodbye to pets that had to be laid away after a life of companionship to our family.
I have said goodbye to family who have watched our adventures from afar .
The quote above truly is correct. Life really is just chapters of goodbyes.
Like all of you I have said goodbye a 1000 times over my 58 years.
Many brought tears when spoken, most did not.
I think the hardest goodbyes to accept are the ones never spoken.
The ones that you are cheated out of by fate .
When I squeezed my grandfather’s hand in the hospital and told him I loved him as I headed back to Alabama after his stroke. I knew deep down that I was saying goodbye and so did he.
When his passing came shortly after our return to Alabama, although still sad, I felt closure that I was able to tell him one last time that I loved him. I had said goodbye and we both knew it.
When my grandmother passed away while taking a nap one day at the farm, I was not afforded that same closure as I had with Gramp.
No goodbye, no last I love you. No final hugs.
The call came in from my father that she had passed and like that, the opportunity for goodbye was gone.
We had so many good times together over the 25 years I got to know Dennis. We were friends that had lasted through major life changes, moves, careers and everything else life can throw at you and yet our friendship carried on.
Although he lived in Ohio I visited at least once a year. I usually did the traveling since he was over 20 years my senior.
As far as friends go, he was one of my best.
He was an old school kind of guy and other than a smile he wasn’t big on sharing emotions.
I remember one of my last trips to see him as I gave him a hug to leave, I whispered in his ear. “I love you man “
I think it took him by surprise as he didn’t know what to say. I didn’t let the moment linger as I reached over to give his wife a hug and got into my truck.
I wasn’t expecting a return gesture, I just wanted him to know.
Dennis died in April after mowing the lawn. He sat down for a glass of water and quietly passed.
No chance for goodbyes. Here one second and gone the next.
So, as I wrap up this ramble, I have to agree. Life is just a series of goodbyes, but it is also a series of Hello’s.
Take time to appreciate both!
I must say the goodbyes that hurt the most. The goodbyes that bring a tear when reflected on, are the ones that are never said.
The ones that fate cheats us out of and our right to closure.
So, make sure as you look at your life, that those around you who you value and love, make sure they know!
Make sure that if there is no chance for a goodbye, no chance for one last hug, no last I love you, make sure they know.
Make sure as you move forward in life. No matter how old you are or where you are in life, make sure those who deserve a goodbye know.
Make SURE they know how you feel.
Because you may not get the chance “someday” to tell them and those are the saddest goodbyes of all.
No comments:
Post a Comment