hellos and goodbyes

Yesterday, I picked up my sister from the airport.
Airports are fascinating places to be in. I remember a quote from a TV show that speaks of how an airport is a facsimile of life with all the reunions and departures of loved ones. It's true. When I a passionate embrace of a young child with her older relative (maybe late 20's), I cannot think of a better expression of love and joy. The elation expressed on that child's face was simply inspiring. This welcoming of a loved one is likened to the arrival of a new life within a family. Everyone is overwhelmed with joy and relief, celebrating the a safe arrival of a (new) family member. Whether through birth, adoption, or reunion of a long-lost sibling/child, the same joyous note rings through the cacophony of emotions.
In the same building, just like on the same life journey, people are bidding farewell to those whom they love. There may be tears, good wishes, and many, many sorrowful goodbye kisses. Goodbyes are never easy, temporary or otherwise. The main reason for it being so hard to say goodbye is that you will never see that same person again. Time and its relentless clutches will grasp on to the one you love and drag them through experiences that will, invariably, change that person. Well, it's not cynical as it sounds. I'm just trying to say that things can never be the same. Once the moment's gone, it's gone. This is reminder for you, and for me, to seize the moment and don't let that special moment pass and live in regret.
Also, live in the present while looking onto the future.

I'm never good with goodbyes, do not look forward to sending a close friend of mine away shortly.