Reluctant Goodbyes

Forgive me for not posting for quite a while. I had exams, then relatives and now almost a month of illness. This is the longest I have ever been sick in my entire life, but that is a depressing and frustrating story for another day.

I will start by saying I do not refer to people I know personally by name. This is to avoid humiliation, frustration, law suits or all of the above.

What I have been doing for the last month or two is an awful lot of saying goodbye. School finished, exams finished, there was prom (which I was ill for) and friends have all been jet setting off to holidays. I have said goodbye to many and I most likely won't see many of these people for years to come or ever again and this week was no different. On Wednesday I, along with several friends, said farewell to someone very special.

This person, whom I have known for no more than nine months, has had a greater and more positive effect on my life than people I have know for 10+ years. In the short time that I have know her she has brought out a side of me that I had never knew was there. She has directly influenced my choice in career and how I intend to spend the rest of my life. Being under her guidance has taught me so much and, more than that, it has made me happy. I enjoyed every one of her lessons and appreciate everything she has done for me.

The meal among friends was a great and a brilliant way to say farewell. Everyone had a brilliant time and it was fantastic to be able to see off a good friend. Hugs, tears, presents and goodbyes were exchanged and, although it was sad, the night ended on a positive note.

However, I, personally, did not and will not say goodbye to this person. I am a firm believer in the idea that it is worth the effort of bridging gaps of geography and lifestyle to keep those who have a positive effect on you in your life. No matter how hard it may seem at times, there is always a way to keep these people with you. So instead of saying goodbye to this person I intend to say something else: Thank you.

Thank you for everything you have done for me, thank you for accepting me into your class when you had no obligation to do so, thank you for teaching me so much and thank you for making my final year of school one of the most enjoyable.