A Late Goodbye

So I watch these things called movies once in a while. Some of them make a lot of sense and a lot of them make less than some sense, nonetheless we can go into the movie world sometime later. This particular piece I write because of a line from one such movie I recently went to watch. Irfan Khan in life of Pi rues about not having said proper good-byes to any of the important people in his life.  People think that we don’t take time out to say a few last words of Goodbyes, but the question is, how often is it that we actually know that those are the last words we are going to share with someone?

If there is one thing that has the power to play with your head, to be on the forefront of your thoughts, to mess with your mood and affect your actions, it is an unwanted, impending Goodbye. When you enjoy something immensely, or someone’s company gives you this unparalleled joy, have you ever had this thought of making the most of it while it lasts, before you have to bid adieu. The thought just doesn't leave you and the little time that you have while you can actually enjoy it and live in the moment, the worry that it will soon end just doesn't leave your head.

And we prepare and plan for the moment, when you look for the last time at that person and say words which you know will be the last that you two exchange. In that one little moment you try squeezing in all your thoughts, feelings, wishes and words. You plan for it, think about it, almost obsess over it and carefully prepare those lines almost as a tribute to what you two shared. Your head doesn't let you rest till you have a befitting and satisfactory final speech ready and you have laid it out in your mind  exactly how you plan to say it.

After all this thinking, planning and obsessing little do we realize that goodbyes are anything but planned. The moment is over in a flash, and before you know it, you've been transformed from the is to the was. There is so much left unsaid it feels incomplete and imperfect. Life isn't the same anymore and you didn't even see it coming. Goodbyes are almost always sudden, abrupt and awkward, almost never good or memorable maybe because they signal the end of what was once something beautiful.

Life would be so much better only if we could have good, planned and happy farewells. Almost like a perfect ending. At least that way it wouldn't be like a sentence without a full stop!

If only for the last time, it would be such a comfort to live your life having said all that you wanted before parting ways, knowing that you will be remembered by this moment.

This goes out to all the good goodbyes that I should’ve said to those I will never meet or speak to again. 

And also to the special ones that I CAN never speak to again. If fate ever crosses our paths, I hope you remember me in good light, smile, look me in the eye, and maybe then that smile and a look will suffice, and complete the unsaid farewell.

Fare thee well my friend....Fare thee well