Farewell - Goodbye - See you later

Saying 'goodbye' yet again. In a few hours I'll be flying across the Pacific back to my nativeland, Canada. This past week was full of goodbye's. I was so touched by the surprize farewell that my colleagues put on for me the other night. They said so many affirming words...how can I not return next year! Why are "farewell's" so important? They give us a chance to reflect on the past few years and say 'goodbye'. One thing I've learned over the years is that saying "goodbye" does not get easier. I don't know what is ahead in this year...there are still lots of uncertainties but I anticipate the unknown because I am not alone. An unseen one goes before me and with me into the future. He has promised to "never leave me or abandon me". What a promise to cling to as I pack my bags AGAIN!!!