As I write my beautiful daughter is in the air flying back to Melbourne. The joys of arrivals are heightened by the knowledge of departures. Good and Bye.
I thought about the presents my children gave me for my birthday this year. 
One son gave me Gumboots so my feet would stay warm and dry as I went about my work. And gloves to protect my hands from the perishing cold. 
One gave me a weathervane so I could track the winds and could see how I was in the world dominated by weather. A center-piece for my life. 
Baby Sopsta, my Beautiful Daughter, lately known as Aunty Baby, gave me a pile of slate stakes so I could name my plants as I set them out, keeping track of the labels in my world. 
So I could not get lost in my garden. So I could plant beloved words in the soil of my other home. Slates to write on.
Every time my daughter and I take leave of each other we pretend that we are just popping out for a minute. We keep our voices light and breezy and never say anything deep or meaningful. We made the decision to do it like this because if we hesitate we just howl. And how could these things be put into words anyway.
So today I shall begin to gently fold all the treasured terrible goodbyes into soft tissue, patting and packing all the tears into their own wee virtual box. Tomorrow after leaving my incredible sons and their beautiful beloveds, I shall close the lid, stroke the marks and scars of previous shuttings, carefully latch the little gold hooks, then stow the wee box of me into that waiting corner of my mind where I can keep it safe and quiet, without letting the weight of it drop me to my knees.
I said to one of my driftnet friends the other night that I feel as though I have lived many lives already. We are all like that I think.
Have a lovely day.
celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
38 responses to “Icecream and a Beach on the Eve of the first Goodbye.”
“So today I shall begin…” is a paragraph to remember. It is the stuff poetry is made off. You are living life fully and deeply and sharing with others…making a meaningful life.
I was feeling sad about my little ones growing up before I read this, and I find I can’t swallow now. It can feel so hard to have your heart in so many far flung places.
What perfect presents for you, very thoughtful.
You are truly right Celi……
Tuck those wonderful memories of this trip safely in your heart of minds…
Farmy and home await you. And planning the next trip!
I think most of us can relate with you very well. we get so excited about the visit, and then our hearts drop our tears fall as we say until next time………………so glad you had a wonderful visit my friend
It’s true, all of our goodbyes become a part of us. Lovely!
At least it isn’t forever. There are still the magic gifts of today…sype, blogs, Ipads and Iphones. We don’t have to wait for a letter to cross the ocean on a ship that may wreck. It is hard, but they are still here and in the world which makes it all more bearable.
Now on to the next leg of the journey!!!
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com
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Ah, the poetry of goodbyes…
Don’t say ‘goodbye’, say ’till we meet again’ . . We all have these precious small boxes filled with softly gleaming pearls which we put at the back of the bedroom drawer to be taken out, stroked and admired on quiet nights . . . big hug . . .
It all sounds like great fun in spite of the goodbyes 🙂
It’s inevitable. Whenever I say goodbye, I feel like I just got there!
I don’t like saying good-bye either. I prefer to say “see ya later.”
So hard to say those words… easier to say, see you again, and face the music later!!!!
Sending you lots of positive energies and smiles and hugs to help with those very difficult goodbyes Celi! xoxoxo
C. you have to stop bringing me to tears with some of your most eloquent, beautiful posts of the heart…I am also far away from some of my family and those good byes are heart wrenching, arn’t they?? But like you, we try and keep it light so there won’t be a howlfest!
Love to you on the next leg of your journey to see more of your dears!! Oh and btw…I saw you clearly in your son’s face…especially his eyes!! 🙂