the silent goodbye
a few days ago I mentioned how most of my posts are based around Starbucks.
Well, here we go again. (:
I have a habit of attending the same starbucks regularly, to the point where I become what one would call a “regular”. I would like to think of it as having lots of starbuck friends.
When I had my first episode of multiple sclerosis a few months back, my mom/dad/brother would drop me off for a few hours at the starbucks down the road. At the time I used a walker (sexy I know…it had pink tennis balls too) so it didnt take long for people to notice me. I made starbuck friends.
When I had my second episode, it was much more convenient to attend the starbucks with a better drive-through. The other day though I did stop by my old walker starbucks. They off course commented on my upgraded “legs”/arm crutches, only to then tilt their heads in shock a tad when I open my mouth.
But they treated me the same and wished me luck as I headed out the door.
My starbucks in DC was right across the street and, conveniently, on the way to work. (I must mention I lived less than a mile from work…yet some mornings, it could take me up to 10 minutes depending on traffic. #dcproblems). This was an unconventional starbucks; it was a starbucks location inside the Safeway.
There were three main people that worked there. Two in the morning and one in the evening. It didnt take long for us to start our starbucks friendship.
My mom especially appreciates these starbucks partners because during her visit, they asked if she was my sister. (:
I got a starbucks the morning of March 21st, the day I ended up in the hospital and was diagnosed with MS.
“Venti iced coffee, unsweetened, room for cream” was smiled as the doors opened in a Jedi fashion as I walked into the store. You cant help but feel like hollywood when this happens.
And then, I never returned.
I titled this post “the silent goodbye”. There are so many things in life that follow this route.
Ive had to say goodbye to a lot of things in the past 5 months. Most of them I cant fight because there is no use; it is what it is.
So I silently say goodbye.
Hope for the best.
And find another starbucks.
Moral of the story: you never know when you might be faced with a silent goodbye. Make sure to present each encounter as if it were the last.
This does not mean to cry and hug goodbye as if you’ll never see each other again. That would be awkward
It means put away your phone (facebook, twitter, instagram, texts can wait…Ive realized this) and just BE with that person. Smile at that person. Say have a good day and mean it. Just be nice.
I know it sounds utopian. And there will be days in which you will gosh darn want to hit everyone in your path.
I’ve been there.
But then a stranger will smile at you. And you’ll feel like the Grinch on Christmas: your heart will start to grow. You’ll realize: dont regret the silent goodbye.
#truth
Love, Eliz
