Goodbye
Goodbye
A Poem by Coyote Poetry

Just words. Need more hellos and less goodbyes
More hellos and less goodbyes
I stood by my father old house. I remembered I came here to find a kind voice and safe place to rest. He had a open door for me always and I called him every Friday at 8pm. Close or far. We would discuss life and things. I was deployed in some war. I was called. He was dying at 61 years old. His hard life and drinking took away his internal body. Took me three days to arrive home. He waited for me. I sat and we talked. He discussed life and he told me. Please allow me to die in my bed son. He fell asleep with me near and he didn’t awake. He told me often how proud he was of me. He told me, no goodbye son. I waited for you to come home. Remember your father is proud of his son.

Dear Grandma Beulah was always so sweet and kind. She raised me with love and kindness. I would do anything for her. In her closure years. Dear Grandfather passed on and the family had take take care of her. I came to her home two days a week. I bought her fresh bananas and Wendy’s chilli. We would talk about the pass and the future. She called me her sweetie and I hope she knew. She was my Angel. In good and bad days. She would stand-up for me. She lived 96 years and I watched her leave us and go find dear grandpa. I prayed she is dancing in heaven with him. She told me sweetie. I’m old and you are the strong one now. You must be the place where the family can find love and kindness. Grandma must say goodbye. Too much pain and hurt. Please remember you are my baby boy. I held her hand when her soft and kind heart stops. I knew. I lost my mentor and true friend.
I volunteer for war in 1991. I was trying to escape memory and sadness. I was waiting for the war to end and I called my Grandfather Reyes from Kuwait. My sister answered. She told me he died. The family wanted to keep it a secret so I wouldn’t hold sadness till I got home. I hung up the phone and I cried. I remember the kind man who fed me, cloth-me and gave me advice. I remember how tall he looked to me. He never accepted racism and he stood his ground. I was heartbroken. I realized I never told him. He was the reasons I stood tall and I stood for the right things. I never told him. Thank you my grandfather. You taught me how to live.
Each of us are layered. Layered of taught lessons and accepting love and kindness from honored people. If we are lucky. We become like the kind mentors. Today I try to be like father. Work hard and be a solid man. Be like my dear Grandmother Beulah. Giving love and kind words. Safe place for the kids to rest. I want to stand tall like my Grandpa Reyes. Never held back the truth and demanded respect.
Today I wish for more hellos and less goodbyes. I believe all we can do is follow the examples of the good mentors and hope we leave strong and solid children behind when we take the final walk.
Thank you for sharing, John. It touched my heart. It makes me think about goodbye’s. There have been a lot of them like the ones you talked about. We love them so much and it’s hard to let them go. I’m seeing it more and more as my “baby boomer” generation gets older and we’re poised to move into that slot so many before us have taken.
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You are right. We are getting older. We need to become the teachers now. We were taught by good people. It is our turn.
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So true, John. looks like we’re now the ones moving in that role. 🙂
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Yes we are.
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This is a really touching post from the heart, thanks for sharing it. It’s true, there are so many goodbyes we have to say, I know it’s part of life but it’s still hard to deal with every time.
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Thank you Jean. I appreciate the comment. Old age teaches us. We will lose the people we love.
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John- very touched by this entry, but would like to comment that the older you become, the more you say goodbye to friends, family . It is the way of things.
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You are right. Old age had taught me. Death is a part of life also. Thank you for reading and the comment.
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This is such a touching and heartwarming story of your love for your grandparents. thank you for sharing.
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Thank you for reading and the comment. I do appreciate.
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I hate the word “goodbye” it is much painful than “sorry”
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You are right. Few goodbyes are good ones. Thank you for reading and the comment.
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What a touching post. 🙂 Thank you for sharing it.
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You are welcome.
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I only know you through your words John, but I think you are exactly who you want to be for your family. And I am sure they love who you are.
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We are the example and mentors for our children. We must be based on the right things so kids know right from wrong. The world like to blame the school, television and the media. We need good parent and mentors. I do my best. This is the best we can do. Thank you my friend for reading and the positive comment.
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You’re welcome. And you are right. We can’t blame what we expose our children to. We need to be what we want our children to see and to emulate. Well said John. I love your positive and supportive output.
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That touched my heart. Beautiful.
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Thank you Sam. We need to realize. Everything we do are lessons for the eyes of the children watching.
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Yes. I couldn’t agree more. Often I’ve seen people feel their responsibilities end with providing food, shelter and clothes, all of which are necessities. But to love unconditionally, to show how to love and provide non-material support – memories of which last beyond their own lives – now that takes real effort. Thank you for sharing John.
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You are welcome.
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This was one of the most difficult blogs I read, wow.
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Was hard to write. The song of Joey and Rory made me think too hard tonight. Thank you for reading and the comment.
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