Goodbyes are tough, but in the journey of life they are necessary. There comes a time when we leave the familiar path behind and set out to explore the new. In these instances not everyone comes along. In fact, sometimes you set out on your own and leave those you love the most behind. They remain with you in heart, but no longer in presence. A goodbye marks the moment when that new part of the journey begins.I've said so many goodbyes over the past two weeks that I'm almost goodbyed out. There are so many dear friends and close family who I will miss, but in the midst of those goodbyes I've realized how blessed I am to have so many great relationships with so many great people. In goodbyes we feel the freedom to express the depths of our affection for one another, and often the tears alone say enough. As I leave the familiar path and peer over the ledge into the unfamiliar, I will move ahead with the joy of friendships in my heart and with the desire to grow the kind of friendships in Indonesia that will likewise make for hard goodbyes when its time to come home.
