I hate having friends…
Let me rephrase…I hate having friends that live all over the world.
Having traveled for the last four years, I have truly learned what it means to have real friendships. Friends who would travel halfway across the world to meet me in a foreign place. Friends who welcomed me into their homes when I was alone trying to navigate a new country. Even friends who were a stranger one day, and the next shared all of life’s biggest secrets while speaking two different languages.
Traveling and moving around the world makes you appreciate the people you have in your corner…and the ones you pick up along the way.
I’ve never been one for goodbyes. If I had to pick a favorite, it would be an Irish goodbye. I know it’s hard to believe for some of you reading this, as I’ve never been one who is ever silent and without thought…but the moment it comes to goodbyes, my chest tightens and while there are so many words I wish to say, nothing comes out.
This is why I hate having friends…the inevitable goodbyes to follow.
Just the other day I said goodbye to a friend that I made here on the island…and this may sound silly, but I cried actual tears, a lot to be exact when I said goodbye. No one prepares you when you travel or move for the relationships you will build with strangers. I never expected that after two months of living in Maui, I would be emotional after watching a new friend leave…yet when it came time to say our goodbyes the tears followed, and I was sad.
I constantly remind myself how lucky I am to have these feelings and friendships. To be able to love others and feel loved when I’m someplace new and alone. I wouldn’t trade the friendships I’ve gained or the hard goodbyes and farewells that have come with them for anything. In the moment it's easy to wonder if it’s worth it. Always making friends wherever I go, only to know that I will say goodbye, life will go on and the cycle will continue. However hard it is though, I would rather have the scattered friendships and love I have than to know a life without.
Enough about emotions…my week was filled with work, moving furniture into my new house, and spending as much time out with friends as possible.
The highlights of my week were playing soccer in the dark and the Maui Film Festival. The bruises left behind were proof of a fun exhausting night and the realization that I miss playing a lot more than I realized. I just wish I had the lung capacity I used to have in high school…
These posts always remind me how fast life is moving…it’s already September and I’ve been here for over two months! Not sure what I’ll be getting up to next week…but hopefully something involving the beach and sunshine.
Until then, Agur!
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