life's journeys

[smittenbyu]

In a life that has been so nomadic, people have crossed my life's paths, some becoming friends, some not, some just passing through. I have also been surrounded by people living similar experiences for the many years living overseas - the international school culture. Goodbyes were never shared. Just hugs, tears, and parting with hopes that lives cross again in the future, and that the other is remembered when this occurs. The attachments for us is not inhibited by the distance & space (don't know if that makes any sense, and don't really know how to explain it).

It is really strange being surrounded by people who are settled in one space, whose attachments with a strong circle of people is often defined by the space they share, coming by and saying goodbyes and state the fact that we most likely will not see each other again. Blatantly mentioning it makes me feel completely out of sync, and quite unsure how to respond to such a statement. It simply destroys the hope that I have become so accustomed to having, the hope that has so often helped me with departures. Maybe it's more a state of denial that I live in, but it is one way I have found to adjust to new places and new life.

This experience has been very different from the moving from Rome to Singapore, the moving from Singapore to Hawaii, the moving from Hawaii to KL. It reminds me of the move from India to Rome - my first move, where I myself was so attached to my space & the circle of people, I was literally dragged kicking and screaming to the airport, with feelings that I will never see my circle of family/friends again!

But over the years, my circles have just grown bigger...and I don't want them to stop! So please don't say goodbye but just a wish to see each other again and that each other is remembered!

Comments

[petite-rani.livejournal.com]

i completely understand the sentiments you expressed in your entry. :) just like you, i'm a "nomad" too, and goodbyes have always been somewhat transient. i always carry hope that i will see my friends again, no matter how many times we've had to part, etc. this probably does have a LOT to do with the 'international school' exposure you were talking about. i myself moved from india to indonesia, then indonesia to singapore, then singapore to boston, boston to new york, and now i'll be going back to singapore in a couple of months. it's hard for me to just think of people connected to certain PLACES... my connection with them is a lot more "fluid" than that. i always feel like i'll meet them again, at some point or another. (but maybe, like you said, it's a state of denial? something to comfort us by?)

[thecatsmeow77.livejournal.com]

What a beautiful post. I totally understand your point of view for I feel the same. :)

[claritapita.livejournal.com]

This struck a chord with me :) Never say Goodbye but...till next time.