Goodbyes Are The Beginning to Something New

This year has been full of goodbyes.

My aunt and grandmother died this year. Their goodbyes, while final in this life, are thankfully just a see-you-later in the next. I’m grateful I had the chance to say goodbye to them. Both held a deep faith in Yahweh and lived that faith through their final moments.

I also completed nine years at a company and decided it was time to say goodbye. I’m sure I’ll see many of my colleagues in other contexts, but this marks the last time I’ll greet them in my former role.

After living in many parts of Rochester for the past nine years, I bought a house and moved away. I’ll be back in Rochester, but for the foreseeable future I’ll experience it as a visitor, not a resident.

Each goodbye has been different, but one similarity stands out.

Goodbyes are a farewell to one thing and a hello to something new.

As one writer put it, “the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.”

Not a groundbreaking idea, but still a humbling reminder to accept the gift of a goodbye so you can embrace whatever comes next. Some goodbyes bring sorrow, but they also make room for new joys.