No Goodbyes

Where has the time gone? This month has been the busiest one ever! We continue to miss Jon, but happy that he is resting well in Tennessee.

We are on the merry-go-round of “end of the year” places to be and people to see. We are saying goodbye to our superintendent, school counselor, and two of our principals with numerous dinners, parties, dedications, etc. The 8th grade banquet created an opportunity for the students to dress up and enjoy reflecting on their time together before moving up to high school. Concerts for all ages have provided entertainment a few nights this past week. Last night was a sports’ banquet and tonight will begin the week of countdown for the seniors with baccalaureate. Along with exams this week, we have three award programs, closing chapel, graduation and many, many goodbyes. As busy as it all sounds, we will be sad when this year is over. And especially sad to see so many leave for furlough, transfer or graduation. I am sure tears will flow.

Over the last year, we’ve said goodbye too many times, and now it is time to say it again to many who are leaving Hillcrest and Nigeria. Saying goodbye doesn’t get easier with practice. Perhaps the more experience you have at it, the harder it becomes because you know how much it will hurt. The deeper the love, the stronger the pain. However, even with the hurts of saying goodbye, I can say, “I’d do it all over again!” I never want to forsake the joys of love because I was too scared of the goodbye. Instead of “goodbye”-it will be “until next time”…..no goodbyes.