First off, how do people feel about the new banner. Is it too difficult read? Or does that retina strain accurately capture the chaos that is my mental state?
Next, I don't why I was surprised by this, but I was reminded again this evening how saying goodbye never gets easier. As this term draws to a close, many of my friends studying abroad at the University of Bristol decided to get together for a final night out together. Over the next week and a half we will all be returning to home, wherever that might be for however long. More shocking than how hard it has been to say goodbye to so many people who have been such a huge part of my life for the past five months is the way in which the song “Red River Valley” has been stuck in my head for the past week.
This is where things get really sappy.
At my elementary school it was a tradition for the 6th graders to sing “Red River Valley” to the rest of the school on the last day of classes as they would be moving up to middle school and (hopefully) on to better things. The song goes:
From this valley they say you are going
We will miss your bright eyes and sweet smile
For they say you are taking the sunshine
That has brightened our pathways awhile
CHORUS:
Come and sit by my side, [and be friendly]*
Do not hasten to bid me adieu
Just remember the Red River Valley
And the [folks]** who loved you so true
* some claim this line is “ if you love me”
** has been known to be sung “ cowboy”
It's actually much longer, but this was the only part we sang at school. It's just enough to get the message across. I never thought this song would ever have any real significance in my life after the last day of 6th grade. It seems I was wrong, as I am about so many things.
I also seemed to forget how freakin' long it takes people to say goodbye. It must have taken a good 45 minutes for us to all say goodbye to one another. This "Long Goodbye" actually turned into a miniature trek up Park Street, the steepest street in Bristol, finally ending in front of a bar where we then stood for another 25 minutes before anyone went home or inside the bar. It's always awkward breaking those things up or being the first to leave. You don't want to seem insensitive, but really I'm just looking for an out the whole time. I try to treat Goodbyes like tearing off a band-aid: you brace yourself for it then just do it in one quick motion.
But this story has a happy ending! There are several friends I've made here who live near to my home-town and where I go to school, so it's nearly certain I'll be seeing them in the fall. Also, some of us have been talking about having a mini reunion three years from now. I really shouldn't worry so much; I know I'll stay in contact with the people who have meant the most to me while others will still hold a special place in my heart and memory along with the city of Bristol.
Okay. I think I need to watch a double feature of Blood Sport and Boondock Saints to wash all this sap off of me.
2 comments:
I like the new banner, but I think you should add an asymmetrical white line in the middle of the phrase. It's all or nothing baby
Aww goodbyes are hard. Be sappy!
I like how songs and old memories can be brought back to mind in different situations. The singing probably felt sappy at the time, but endings are endings. Sad, scary and wonderful at the same time.
Awwwww now I feel sappy
Like Sofia, I like the new banner, but I cannot read "cerebral traffic" because it is in white. I might go for a different color, as I can only see the shadow of it.
Goodbyes suck. I am not good at them. I think that part of the problem rests in the fact that people give really short hugs. I like longer hugs. I have come to realize that I am a rare breed.
It makes me sad.
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