Goodbyes Don't Have To Be Sad

There're 5 days left to my flight for Finland and thinking of someone shedding tears scares me. I want to keep it cool. 

I've never cried at farewell parties. I find tearful farewell awkward and demoralizing. It's not that I'm emotionless, I'm just more excited about the future than nostalgic about the past. 

On top of that, I'll be anxious as hell about keeping an eye on our luggage already. I don't need more emotional turbulence. 

Anything is possible and goodbyes can sound cheerful. You don't have to tell them if it feels cheesy, they're helpful even when just kept in mind. With positive thinking, you'll be able to put on your brightest smile when going through security and no one would feel the need to cry! 

Let me show you my cheerful/neutral goodbyes:

Bye Zin

Me and Barbie Zin Zin Poo Poo before Tết 2025

Bye bye Zin. How can I explain to you that I won't come back tonight or any time soon? All you understand are commands to eat, go out, go home, wash your feet, shower, and go to bed. Also "come hug" but you often don't cooperate.

Mom won't hug, kiss, rub your belly, tell you "You're so cute" or "I love you" everyday like me but she'll love you in a different way. You're too cute to not love! Aunt Hòa also loves you and her love language is to feed you a lot of your favorite food. Sounds great?

The only uncomfortable part is: you'll miss me for a while. You'll be confused and look for me. But just for a while. That uncomfortable phase will pass. Then you'll be okay.

When our financial status becomes stable, I'll return to visit you and maybe bring you with me! In the meantime, enjoy being a carefree dog. The food is still delicious and the sun still warms your skin even without me.

 

Bye Mom

Take care, my business partner. I'll call if there's anything potential to trade. Pet Zin sometimes.

Bye little brother

I may be able to find a place there that accepts autistic workers. So be prepared. Anyway, your fate is in your hand.

Bye Hanoi

I'm so glad that finally we can separate, dear Hanoi.

I may miss all the trees, especially cây bàng, the only tree in this tropical country that has four leaf colors. Definitely won't miss the scorching sun and heated roads. 

I'll miss Grandma's house, the most peaceful space in this city and in my heart. I mostly lived there before going to school. Life was slow. Full of toys, comics, animated series on Bibi, Chinese and Korean dramas on national television. Of course can't live that way again. But the memories of it is where I rest when the present sucks.

Bye banknotes with at least three zeros. Yay! Bye polluted air. Bye Vietnamese. Won't hear you much, particularly northern accent.

* 

I'm not leaving forever. We'll see again in a few years. Shouldn't you be happy for me? I fought hard for this day. Only tears of joy are accepted.

I'm ready to go!