I live about 20 miles from my friend Eugene when I’m home. We don’t really see each other much, though. You know, life gets in the way, right?
So, 3,000 miles from where we both call home, we’re walking down the street laughing about nonsense that seems vaguely relevant nonsense at the time. That’s how it is. Nonsense.
On one level we do everything possible to enjoy the life we’re given and embrace that enjoyment when we’re in the same place. On another level, it takes nothing at all to switch that conversation from light-hearted banter to a deeper one. A conversation of need or desire or confusion.
Eugene is a friend.
Not in the way Facebook and Myspace (whatever that is) have redefined the definition. He is a friend in the way we all yearn to connect with people. He is a person that circumstances will never matter – that judgement is a non-issue – that allows that other world (you know, the one that seems to control our days, but doesn’t really matter) to stop when we’re in the room, or in this case the sidewalk.
A few days earlier, at an hour I don’t quite remember, we were sitting on the 5th floor balcony of an AirBNB staring at life. It isn’t everyone that you can stare at life with.
We try to hold them close. We don’t want to let them go. We don’t want to say good-bye.
Good-bye-ish
As Eugene and I approached the train that would begin his journey back East, we stopped for coffee… for breakfast… for a little distraction from the pending “good-bye.”
But, the MAX came anyway.
Here’s where it got interesting. There was no good-bye.
Instead, I hugged one of the greatest guys I know and said… “I’ll see you when I get back East.”
“Yeah,” he said with no hesitation.
And that was that.
No good-bye.
Transience
That’s how it is on the road. Nothing is permanent. Everything is transient. It is ALL “until the next time.”
After the conference in Portland, I should have said good-bye – or see you next year – to countless people. But, being a nomad, everything was different. We’ll see each other again… when I get there. Seattle, San Diego, Hawaii… when I get there.
…”on the road.” That’s how it is everywhere. Transience. Nothing is permanent. Love what you have, when you have it. In that moment.
No More Good-byes
It’s different as a nomad. There’s no tried and true time-frame. Sure, there’s no Thursday Wing Night, either. But, if you know you’re not going to see your friend for a year, that’s one thing. If there’s a chance that you may see them sooner…
That’s hope.
…and is there anything better than hope?
See you soon!
