Saying Goodbye

One thing I was not prepared for when I started this blog just a few short months ago, was how quickly people would come into my life, and how soon I would have to say goodbye.

Among the first things I saw when hubby and I got back from the land were goodbye messages from two of my favorite bloggers, Lou at Subdural Flow and Madison at Fight of Your Life. These are the just latest in what feels like a string of losses. Scott at Attitude of Gratitude called it quits not long ago. These were all longtime bloggers but, being new, I had little time with them. A couple of others have taken hiatuses that, so far, have not become permanent but sound as thought they might.

The fact that I have never met any of these people does not make me grieve their loss any less. They may have been "virtual" friends, but they are real to me as the desk I write on. They told the truth about their lives and addiction, supported me, shared resources. They touched me beyond measure.

Surely Al-Anon must offer wisdom. I searched the indexes in my daily readers in vain for wisdom on "loss" or "goodbye." The closest I came was "Letting go." This is from Courage to Change, p.202.

"... We can become too busy avoiding change to enjoy the gifts we fear to lose. By clutching at what we most want to keep, we lose it all the more rapidly.

Change is inevitable. We can depend on that. When we become willing to accept change, we make room for a loving God. By letting go of our efforts to influence the future, we become freer to experience the present, to feel all of our feelings while they are happening, and to more fully enjoy those precious moments of joy with which we are blessed."

So, to Lou, to Madison, and to all of you who are still out there blogging, I want you to know you have filled my life with precious moments of joy. Thank you for blessing my life.

And for those who are moving on, whether by choice or necessity, please know that you have touched me. And I will miss you. Godspeed.