While graduation is a happy occasion, I'm awfully sad to see so many great kids graduating and moving on to college this year. I've realized with Colin and his friends that going to college means that I won't be seeing as much of these smiley faces that I have grown to love. And while I'm happy and excited for them to experience college, it just makes me sad that I won't be seeing them as much around home or school anymore.
And along with those kids, I'm gonna miss their parents. Oh, we all say that we'll keep in touch and we'll still see them at band outings, but in reality, it doesn't work that way. Like their kids, parents move on as well, going to college football games and choosing to stay at home rather than sitting in cold bleachers cheering on the band. I don't blame them, because if I had half of an excuse not to sit on freezing bleachers....
This year is extra sentimental for me as my pally at work, Jim, is retiring this week. It's me, Jim, and Irene in the back room and we are a tight bunch. While the rest of the office has their private offices and cliques--I've got Jim and Irene. We're stuffed in the back of the office, nestled in cubes, and we love every minute of it. We stick together, us three, having "morning meetings" and and the thought of this breaking up makes me sad.
I'm a little misty-eyed these days as I edge closer to these goodbyes. I don't like those reassuring hugs and words of promises that won't be--although they feel good for the moment. I don't like the lump in my throat as I see my friends for what may be for the last for a long time. And I certainly don't like the thought of returning to those places that I typically see them--band, work, etc.--to find their seats empty. All of that just makes me sad. Very sad.
Damn forget-me-nots.
I think I'm gonna start liking dandelions. They just remind me of all the annoying things in life that I'd like to ditch. Then I won't cry so much when I see them.
24 comments:
This is a totally valid reason for feeling sad - so I won't say buck up or any such thing. It stinks.
Alex LOVES dandelions-look gwamma! The Flowers bloomed!
Can I have Jim's job, please???!!! I'll do it for free-I'll pay them!
I have to go home Friday after having my knee drained and I can't get my check until Monday because she is angry I couldn't stay? I can't take much more.
I understand your sadness as I am on the fringe of many good-byes myself. Somehow we always manage to survive to change.
I very much understand your sadness. It is a melancholy time of year.
I have always loved dandelions. The children loved them so.
Looks as though today it is "Blue Flowers for a Blue Lady."
What a bittersweet post. Everyone is moving on to fabulous things but it is sad when things have to change.
You always have your goofy family who loves you lots--we're not going anywhere! Phyl
I'm with you on this, baby!!! Our sons' graduations are not until June.....
I get it. I get it. I'll share the Kleenex box with you.
This makes me sad, because you really are right that no matter how hard we try, things do change. I know I never went to another band competition again. I hate the last part of the year with graduation! :(
Change sucks. I totally understand your sadness from the departures in your life. It is so hard to keep up with those people in our lives and I hate to feel that drifting away that always happens after you stop seeing someone everyday. I hope the new guy is just as much fun as Jim and that you make new friends to fill the other parents places in your life.
Just imagine the new friends you will be making.
Or imagine all that spare time you will now have....
As for Jim? He is gonna have some fun. Maybe. You and Irene will just have to keep him there in spirit. Hey, make a cardboard Jim! Then he WILL still be there.
I've decided to like dandelions too. I've got enough of them growing here this year, and it costs too much to eradicate them. I did buy some spray and then read the warning label. I don't want to use that nasty stuff now.
Cherry blossoms beginning to show. Change comes and change goes. So do the bills in the wallet.
But the good news is that Colin gets to come home for the summer soon, right? Is he already back?
I just attended my bro's graduation from his masters program yesterday. It's a happy occasion, but there's an odd air of loneliness hanging about too as he realizes he most likely will see few of them ever again. It's a sad time indeed.
I hate goodbyes!
I love the forget-me-nots. I was searching & searching for them in Alaska and I finally found them outside a restaurant in Anchorage. I had not idea that they were so small!!
All these good-bys, Lin. Changes are so hard... T
This made me sad too because you are right, promises will be made but they are rarely kept. Hopefully you will still be in touch with Jim though. Hugs to you!
Grace--Thanks, pally. I just have to feel sad for a bit. Thanks for understanding. :)
Helene--UGH. That is the worst job EVER, Helene. It never ends, does it?
Jodi--You do have a lot of changes too, don't you? Ugh. I don't like this goodbye stuff very much.
Highway--Shhhh, I sorta like them too--but not on MY lawn or the one across the street! I like how determined they are. :)
Vanilla--Vanilla, you always hit the nail on the head. :)
Anne--I don't like that so many people are moving out of my life right now. I'm sure new ones will pop in, but it's never the same.
Phyl--Oh, criminy. I'm not sure if that is good or bad! Hee! Hee!
Betty--I think I will go to band stuff because I love the music so, but I still have 2 more years and I may be weary of it by then. Who knows? I just wish we could keep all those friendships the same--that's the part I don't like.
Lenox--New people will always come into our lives, but they are never the same. We have a replacement for Jim, but she is no Jim. Change is hard sometimes. But I still have Irene! Hooray!
Pricilla--Oh yeah! maybe we can get a Jim poster or something! Good idea. :) I hope he has fun--he certainly deserves some rest after all those years working so hard.
Chuck--I like dandelions, but not on my lawn or in my garden. I can't imagine what it would cost to get rid of your dandelions with all that land you have! Yikes. I try to pull them here if I can.
Nancy--I would give your brother a hug if I was there, Nancy. You know, because he's sad and all that. ;) Col is coming back Thursday--now that is change I like!! Well, for now....
Diana--You can buy plants and seeds here too, pally. In fact I just bought some today. They are easy to sow--go get some!!!
Tracy--I'm okay with change, but not goodbyes. I'm really weepy these days. :( I hope I don't cry at work--that would be obnoxious!!
Beaded Tail--We all do it--we say that we'll call and keep in touch, but we don't. Life is too busy. Jim is the one person that I don't think I'll hear from, unfortunately. That is why I'm extra sad.
Awww- HUGS. You will find people with whom to exchange HELLOS!
I was going to say "when one door closes another one opens" but that's sappy and doesn't change the fact that good byes suck. So I won't say it, I'll just offer a hug a tissue and a handful of dandelions
Sharkey--Thanks, pally. I like your thinking!
Ann--I love the pallies. You always know the right things to say. :)
It's so hard to say goodbye. I know how it feels, Lin. :(
Just remember when God closes a door, he opens another one. Maybe you will meet some new people from the friends that the child will make in college. Take care and have a fun day.
I really like this photo Lin ~ the lighting is perfect!!!
Zach--Thanks, pally.
Marg--Yeah, I know there will be new friends, but for now, I'm too sad to be optimistic.
Catherine--Thanks, pally! I just loved the blue color of those flowers. :)
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