Hello, I Must Be Going

That title. Is that the phrase introverts use when arriving at a party? Why, yes, yes it is! In our minds, for sure, if not out loud!

That title. Did anyone recognize it as a Groucho Marx song from the movie “Animal Crackers”? I bet my older readers did.

That title. Did it remind anyone of the Beatles’ song “Hello Goodbye”? A quick aside: Paul McCartney wrote that song in ten minutes, winning a bet that he could write a good song in ten minutes!

That title. Is it the story of our lives? I think it is. Let me explain what I mean, using my life as an example.

Life appears to be a never ending series of hellos and goodbyes. Some people that you think will be in your life forever, just up and leave, hello…goodbye. Sometimes they leave by choice. Sometimes they leave by chance. But either way, there is that never ending nagging knowledge that everything has a lifespan, even relationships…familial, emotional, romantic, personal friendships, and work friendships.

I lost my first grade best friend, when he died in a sledding accident. Hello Ricky Serfass, and goodbye. I’ve had teachers throughout my school years who were so important and so loved by me, who disappeared from my life after graduation. Hello Mrs. Morgan and Miss Miller, and goodbye. I’ve been dumped by girlfriends that, in my head at least, I may have married. You’re waiting for names here aren’t you? Nope. Not going there! But, like Willie Nelson sang, “to all the girls I’ve loved before”, hello, and a sad goodbye. We spend more time with our work colleagues than with our families (pre-Covid at least!). I can think of so many work friends that filled my days with fun and memories. Where are they now? Hello, goodbye.

I hope I haven’t depressed you too much with what I’ve written so far! I’ve been feeling down lately. I blame it on this freaking election, Covid with no end in sight, and life transitions. But most of you know me as a positive person. Maybe I can turn it around in a last paragraph?

What do I have from all those goodbyes? I have wonderful memories and experiences that have shaped my life. The first word in the title is hello. Maybe there are more hellos to look forward to. Though that may be difficult being a 68 year old introvert! I have my Buddhism, which teaches that desire is the cause of all suffering. Another way to look at that is to nurture the relationships in your life right now. Be happy with what you have now, because even tomorrow is not guaranteed.

Feel better now? If not, how about this Groucho Marx joke for an ending: Last night I shot an elephant in my pajamas. How he got in my pajamas I’ll never know!