Wednesday, January 10. 2007

At The Airport

Was at the airport to send Amanda off. The airport is a bittersweet place. A trip there could signify new beginnings. As with all new beginnings, it comes hand in hand with the closing of the old chapter of one's life.

Her parents fought very hard to keep their tears in check. As did her pesky younger brother. He kept yelling, "With you gone, I'll be the king of the house! Hurray! I'm going to terrorise your room!" But his eyes reddened occasionally and he quietly dabbed away a few tears when he thought no one was looking.

The family has sacrificed a lot for the sake of their only daughter and were jubilant that she's now been given a golden opportunity to further her studies overseas. Still, saying goodbye is never easy.

As I watched Amanda waving at us before walking away confidently from us, I remembered how happy I was to leave everything I know behind to embrace the exciting chapter of studying in Australia. Nary a tear was in my eyes. My parents would be heaving sighs of relief with me gone, I was sure. Little did I know that my mom and two siblings cried after I disappeared happily from their sight.

And now I wonder how it would be to be on the other side of the story. Growing up, I kept telling my folks to chill and to let us be free to go and make our own choices in life. Would I be able to let go of my own offspring easily when they are ready to spread their wings and fly?

Looking at Amanda's parents' red eyes, I have a sneaky suspicion that when my turn comes, it wouldn't be as easy as I once thought it would be.
Posted by coolcat in Thoughts at Permalink | Comments (4) | Trackbacks (0)
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*I remember the day I left home. It was so early in the morning that everyone was stoned. My friends just stood around in a semi circle looking blankly ahead. And that sums up the entire goodbye haha!

Well, red eyes and sniffy noses at the airport is always good in away. Shows just how much you'll miss the person =)
#1 Anonymous on 2007-01-10 07:44 (Reply)
*Awwww, they didn't cry for you? But at least they showed up even at such an ungodly hour! That's like the ultimate act of sacrifice for someone who likes to sleep in like me :-P
#2 Anonymous on 2007-01-11 00:24 (Reply)
*Haha, thanks for coming to send me off. I really appreciate it.
#3 rottenbones (Homepage) on 2007-01-11 04:59 (Reply)
*Glad to be able to be there. And that you landed safely :-)
#4 coolcat (Homepage) on 2007-01-12 05:00 (Reply)

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