Travelers know it very well: parting. All of us probably lived through it at least once: you take a vacation for a few weeks, you create friendships, eventually love affairs… and in the end it’s time to part, to go back to our respective paths, and to kiss goodbye.

Sometimes we let a phone number, an address. Sometimes we flee without leaving a trace, with a torn heart, eager to erase a pain that could eventually mark us with an ugly scar. Sometimes we remain in touch for years, sometimes we let go…

When you’re constantly moving around, these situations become daily bread. You can try to wrap iron around your heart, or immerse it in icy waters… you can play the though one, but in the end, there is no exception. The time always comes to say goodbye, and sometimes, the tears you weren’t expecting end up having a bitter taste.

We can just learn: learn to say goodbye, learn to let go, learn to let the fire consume itself quietly, giving way to the ashes and finally to the night. Sometimes it takes a week, sometimes it takes months and sometimes our whole life won’t be enough. There is no secret recipe for this kind of grief. People come and go, but put a mark on us.

We can only decide to drop all of our barriers and embrace each moment spent with them, and give them every opportunity possible to blossom.

In the end, what seems to remain are memories and regrets. But by living fully through it, we somehow built a piece of art. Temporary or not, we can give ourselves a reason and cherish all these little moments.

We can rejoince about the chance of having been able able to cross paths somewhere, somewhen, and make it a little spark of eternity to cling to.

If we grew up together for some time, or just enjoyed a good day, be sure I won’t forget about you. Have a good life and see you soon, maybe, somewhere.

PS. This is a repost of a Facebook note where I used to tag all the people that left from a place I was staying. It’s still going on!