I am not one for good-byes. Saying "good-bye" just feels so final, like something is ending or is over, and that can be very tough to accept. Usually I prefer to say "see you later" or "until next time," something along those lines instead of something as final as "good-bye." In fact I usually say this to my students at the airport, and even if it isn't always true it is positive and doesn't make thier departure quite so sad. (Though I have never cried for any of my groups...! Not that they have not been awesome!)
Today I did say "nos vemos" to the professor of my Alabama group who left today with her daughters to return to the USA. I can never express enough just how incredible my job is in terms of how many awesome people I meet. This professor I met four years ago, during my very first season, and we hit it off so well. SHe has come every year and I have gotten to know her better and watched her young daughters grow, and I feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to continue to foster a friendship and professional relationship with her and her family. I will never forget the feeling of knowing that she specifically requested me as her CPI chaperone, a feeling of being appreciated and excited..so gratifying! Being able to spend some quality time with her over the last two weeks (she was my neighbor at the CPI apartments, invited me to dinner twice, and we had many good talks while students were in class) has been truly wonderful.
We agreed that when I am back in the USA that I have to come and see her in Alabama, or we have to at least meet halfway.
Watching her and her girls climb into the car to leave to the airport I kept telling myself, "This is not good-bye." And it is not. I will see her again...it is one of those relationships that you know are going to last no matter distance, no matter time between visits.
"Nos vemos...!"
Pura Vida.
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