Amy M. Schaefer
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From the Front Porch

I am an "accidental blogger". When I launched my writing career in March of 2014, one of the things that I decided to include was my journaling, which I have always found to be a comforting and therapeutic endeavor.  It was a big risk to open myself up in such a public forum, but it has taught me that, for the most part, we share far more experiences than we think. It's comforting to know I'm not alone!  (*the "Button Text" is the link to my first novel)
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Don't Say It, Please

4/30/2015

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Image @ animalswaving.tumblr.com
"Goodbyes are only for those who love with their eyes. Because for those who love with their heart and soul there is no such thing as separation." ~fb/The idealist

A friend of mine firmly believes you should never say goodbye to someone. He considers this very bad luck, instead choosing parting words such as "good day" or "have a good journey" and tells me that he frequently gets strange looks for this. While I do not share his opinion of what constitutes egging on bad luck, I respect his views about it, normally saying "see ya" when we part company.

Goodbye is a strange concept to me to begin with, which is probably how the above quote got stuck in my brain today. I mean, I feel as if something ought to be said when parting from others, but what, exactly, is another thing entirely. For example, Tuesday when I went to have my surgeon look at the scars from my cancer surgery to make sure they were healing properly, there were so many things I wanted to say when he was done, but I settled for "thanks" and hugged him tight. When I walked to the Check-Out Desk for my final paperwork, I warmly told the receptionist, "Please don't take this the wrong way, but I hope I never see any of you again." She smiled and said, "Me, too".

When I lost my mother in 1997, I didn't get to say anything because one minute she was alive and the next she was just gone. It took me many years, many tears, and a recent trip to San Fransisco to finally say my goodbyes to her. She still sneaks into my dreams sometimes, hopefully just to check on me and see how I'm doing, though. Honestly, with some people I have to purposely NOT think of our parting, NOT wonder if that's the last time I'll ever see their face again. I force myself not to think about all of the "what should I have saids" if there's never another opportunity. And more importantly, I think with intent and purpose of all the things I NEED to say, and say them when I get the chance. Some goodbyes are a blessing, but mostly they suck! Maybe there's something to my friend's attitude, so with that in mind, on this last day of April 2015, I will wish you all a good journey into May.

Always,
A.
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    About The Author

    I grew up in rural North Carolina. When I was only nineteen, I moved away and became a military wife. My only aspiration at that tender time in my life was to create an adult life that "fixed" all of the "injustices" of my childhood. Secretly, however, I wanted to reach for the sky! I wanted to be a writer and find ways to "save the world" (my mother used to say, "You have Save the World Syndrome".). Mostly, I wanted to matter.

    Since then, I have learned to reach well beyond what I ever dared to think was possible. I've learned not to allow fear to stop me from whatever future I want to create!

    What keeps me grounded? My Tribe! What provides the wind beneath my wings? A well of reserves filled with unstoppable passion!

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  • Amy M. Schaefer, Writer
  • Blog: From the Front Porch
  • Novels
  • Short Stories
    • Children's Books
  • About the Author
  • Contact
  • Photo & Art Gallery