The Two Sides of Goodbyes

LEAVING: i remember holding onto my mom, so afraid to leave the safety of her soft pale skin, yet enticed by the unknown that came with letting her petite frame go. and though my heart broke a millions times watching her silently sob in the middle of Sea Tac airport, a part of me danced at the mention of my dreams coming true at Terminal 65 with service to Los Angeles.

STAYING: i watched him leave, realizing that everything we knew and trusted about “home” would change completely. i knew he’d probably never come back to this cow town; and if he did, i’d already be gone. i saw fireworks in his eyes when he talked of all that this new world could offer him, a new world without me, or the memories on 73rd Avenue. i can’t blame him, because years ago those same fireworks lit my eyes too. but now he’s the grand finale, and i’m left cleaning up the ash.