Goodbye

When I was visiting my friend Sylvia and her mom Delia I was telling them how sad I was to be saying goodbye. Then my friend Delia told me that in Lakota there is no word for goodbye. When you leave someone you don’t tell them goodbye you tell them until next time. Or I will see you later. This week as I am saying goodbye to my friends here I won’t be saying goodbye, I will only be saying until next time.

I love the idea of a goodbye not being final. As I prepare to leave this place I know that I will return in about 4 weeks. My goodbye isn’t final. I am embracing the Lakota meaning of the word goodbye. My goodbye will only be until next time. I’m excited for my return but saddened that my life here this summer will look nothing like my life does now. I look forward to the groups that will be coming this summer. I look forward to the opportunity to help teach teenagers about the Lakota people and about life out here. I look forward to watching the youth groups that come interact with the kids here.

As these final days wrap up I am preparing go home. I have wonderful plans for visiting friends and family. I am looking forward to seeing my mom and dad.

So on April 27, I will say a Lakota goodbye to this. With a promise and guarantee that I will be back.