Saying goodbye is never easy. It’s even more difficult when you know it will be a long time before you see the person you care about again. This weekend I had to say goodbye to two of my granddaughters. Our farewells were not sad, but celebratory.

My young granddaughter who has been living with me and my husband since January was reunited with her parents and brothers. She was so excited to be joining them in South Carolina, and truthfully I am relieved for her to be with them. But as Shakespeare would say, parting was such sweet sorrow. We found out Wednesday evening that she would be leaving the weekend. I already had a full weekend with getting my driver’s license renewed and preparing for my oldest son’s family’s visit. The thought of adding one more thing to my plate was overwhelming. Tootie and I spent Wednesday and Thursday night after I got off work, packing and repacking her stuff, washing clothes, getting her shower, making sure we had everything she brought with her and everything she’d acquired in the past seven months.

My husband loaded the seven boxes and two suitcases into his truck. He was in charge of getting our girl off Friday morning while I waited at DMV for my driver’s license. Not being able to take her around to say goodbye, rushing to get her stuff packed, it added to the stress of her leaving. But in the end, knowing she is happy to be reunited with her family is reason to celebrate, and grandma is glad to have the television to herself.

We also bid adieu to our oldest granddaughter who is off on a new adventure. Only seventeen, our princess has been exploring opportunities to study abroad. She applied on her own to visit several foreign countries. After visiting Korea during the World Scouting Jamboree, she wanted to return to learn more about the language, culture and especially the cuisine. Alas, returning to Korea wasn’t in the cards for her at this time but she didn’t give up. She kept searching until she found a program that would accept her and a country that she was interested in exploring. Knowing she will be on the other side of the world for nearly a year is difficult but I know this is an opportunity that she cannot pass up. I’m thankful we were able to spend time together before she leaves next week, and I am so glad we have ways of keeping in touch. When her father went to Bulgaria as an exchange student, we had very little contact but he was only gone for one semester.

I have never been good at saying goodbye. While I didn’t cry when I saw them off, there is a feeling of melancholy. I have teased the youngest granddaughter that I was looking forward to her going home, but in the next breath I’d tell her I’d miss her. That is closer to the truth. As tired as I am, and glad she is back with her family, I know I will miss having her here. As for my oldest granddaughter, she lives just far enough away that I won’t miss her on a daily basis, but she won’t be here for Christmas or her birthday, and her absence will be noticed.

Say a prayer for both of them and their new adventures.