Saying "bye"

“ I am not coming to airport one more time, I can’t take that depressing feeling once again”. I forget the number of times I have told this but still go to see off family members flying out of the country. After the bright lights at KIA and suppressed feelings at seeing someone off, the drive back home is what I dread most. The darkness, the subdued tears, the agony of separation are enough to convert me to a wreck by the time I reach home. What adds to the misery is that

all flights are early morning ones, which make the visits to the aerodrome a nocturnal one.

What is it in airports that one feels a sense of loss? Is it just that fact that we are seeing someone off, albeit temporarily? The bout of tears that we get to see, especially during the month of August when children fly off to the Big Apple? The sad faces of parents as they let go off their wards, who they have nurtured all their lives and who are impatient to fly now to greener pastures? The tear-stained faces of mothers, the hard lump in dads throats and some light hearted banter from accompanying friends all add to the emotional stress and one comes away feeling drained.

Why is saying goodbye, even for a short period so tough? Is it that letting go is out of our comfort zone and thus scary? When the word ‘bye’ is said, it creates a kind of panic in most people’s minds. Even if it is someone whom we don’t care for much, we still tend to experience a kind of bonding at the time of parting. Even enemies linger in our minds even if their physical presence is not there. As it is well known, saying goodbye is terrible, if it isn’t what we want but forced to accept.

Human beings have a tendency to cling, whether to material things, folks, emotions or wants. Money of course, tops the list. On the other hand, clinging mildly also gives a purpose to our life. We cling not just to hold on, but also to have a purpose in our lives. It gives us a focus and a reason to nurture relationships or careers by sacrificing a bit of ourselves in order to make room for others whom we need in life.

Life, of course has various plans. Carefully nurtured relations like family has to move away for various reasons. Friends have to shift to various places and co-workers may leave for other options. Guess that explains why “ Airports see more sincere kisses than wedding halls”