Àte logo!

I never thought saying goodbye to people was that big of a deal.  You talk about the next time you will see the person, maybe you give them a casual hug, or plant a kiss on their cheek.  Goodbyes where one might shed some tears, or even require Kleenex are often seen as being dramatic.  Sometimes goodbyes force us to say things that have been bubbling up in us for a while; the lack of time moves us to speak on behalf of what we feel in our heart. Other times, goodbyes turn previous conflicts into unspoken resolutions.  Suddenly, that grudge you were holding or that frustration that overwhelmed the relationship dissipates.

Often, there are words of encouragement that are tacked onto the goodbye moment- things like, "You're going to be amazing!" or "It's going to be great!"  While these statements may be true, they only briefly overshadow the sadness of the parting.  Sometimes life gives you the unplanned goodbyes- when a life is cut short unexpectedly.  Goodbyes over Caribou Coffee or Alterra are common in Minneapolis and Milwaukee areas- doing the quick catch-up on each other’s lives before parting ways again.  There are always laughing goodbyes, or what I like to call "Going out with a bang!"  These usually consist of doing something crazy- going skinny dipping or rocking out to Rihanna.  Nostalgic goodbyes, where you sit at a quiet bar with a pint of Guinness and remember all the fun times you shared with the other person during your high school or college years. And of course, there are those I-need-to-be-at-the-airport-in-one-hour-and-still-haven't-packed-my-suitcase goodbyes, or what I'd like to call "flustered" goodbyes.  This type of goodbye calls for patient accompaniment (in my case, patient parents) who remind you that everything is going to be okay, and even offer to pack your suitcase for you!  Saying goodbye can feel very final, while some goodbyes feel unsettled and incomplete.

Over the last few months I have said hundreds of goodbyes to grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends I have adopted as family, housemates, neighbors, professors, co-workers, clients, acquaintances, even dogs!  Each goodbye has its own unique tone to it, and none of them came easily.  I’ve come to realize that goodbyes are in fact, a very big deal. They are a big deal because they are always difficult for me.  These goodbyes have been a testament to the real love that is shared between me and the person to whom I am saying goodbye.  And even though I will miss the physical presence of people from the United States while I am in Brazil, it comforts me to know that we are bound by love.  Even if I don’t see someone’s face, hear their laugh, or exchange an email with the person, love will still remain.  The love we share cannot be lessened; it can only continue to grow in new and unexpected ways.  Àte logo is Brasilian Portuguese for “See you later!”  So to all those people I am bound to through love, Àte logo!