One week left and I guess I could have travelled to any number of places, added a few new countries to my travel map to take the numbers up a bit, taken a few more photos, had some more experiences. And I’m sure I would have enjoyed that immensely, but as it turned out, I did what is more important and more enjoyable than any of that. I caught up with people important to me. Some of the people who have made these last few years some of my most poignant.

People wonder why I travel so much. Why don’t I just settle down? What’s wrong with me? Why am I so scared of still and set? I travel for many reasons. Of course for the excitement of seeing a new place, experiencing a new culture. Testing myself in a foreign environment; experiencing the enchantment one finds in simple beauties; questioning my own perhaps way too set beliefs and maybe even just to distract myself as more than one person has suggested!

But the most lasting and deep memories are always the people. Whether it’s the people of a new land or travel companions. Travel has lead me to some of my truest friends and often biggest influences. Even those you don’t get on with can cause you to take a closer look at yourself. Also experiencing new environments with old friends can make or break friendships. The friendships that hold fast are always stronger and more pure. More honest and more trusting.

Outer journeys are also catalysts for inner journeys. Inner journeys are perhaps the more difficult. They’re the ones that are not always so pleasant, the ones where you have to be blatantly honest with yourself. And the friends that help you through these are the truest of them all.

Saying farewell to these people can be heart wrenching but leaving people who are the dearest to you can actually build a friendship into a very real and lasting one. The old saying comes to mind…..absence is to love what wind is to fire. It distinguishes the small and enhances the great. Absence can clear out your life completely, but what is left are friends who are pure diamonds. The most precious stones that will not only be in your life for a long time, but friendships that are strong and pure.

So, although I always know how hard it is to say goodbye, and it always is, the next hello shared will hold more joy and pure intent than any other greeting.

So, to those friends I leave today I say thank you. Thank you for changing me. Thank you for supporting me. Thank you for showing me a me I never knew was there. Thank you for believing in me, helping me, guiding me, putting up with me. Thank you for reaching out a hand when I needed one and for scolding me when I needed that as well. I doubt there is anyone in the world as blessed as me. And although the pain of leaving you today is real and deep, I know that our next hello will be the greatest of moments.

Until we meet again……..

XXX