No matter the circumstance, saying goodbye is never easy. It comes with tears, hugs, reminiscing of memories and laughter that we try to use to mask the tears. I have always wondered why the word Good was in goodbye. How could a word that we use to describe things such as ice cream, doughnuts and pizza be put together with the word bye to make a word with such a sad connotation? Then I realized that although goodbyes are hard, in order to make it through we have to find the good in them.

I recently had to say goodbye to my best friend of four years. She made the commitment to go fight for our country and do something I would never have the courage to do. She has never been more than a phone call, text, facetime or even five minuets away from me, but now we are forced to be separated by 850 miles (to be exact). Saying goodbye to her has been one the hardest things I have had to do but it has also taught me how to find the good in goodbyes. For example the good in this situation is that I know for a fact she's doing something that is going to better her life not only for herself but also for her future family. I also know that no matter the distance between us our friendship will be strong.

I encourage everyone, no matter the situation, to always try to find the good. If someone you know passed away just try to remember they're no longer in pain, if someone is moving away from you just think of all the cool new things y'all will get to experience when you go to visit them. Maybe it's just my "always look at the bright side" personality kicking in but even though it is a sad time and it will hurt for a while just think of all the new adventures, stories and if you're anything like me all the new cute pictures you will be able to take. Change is a part of life and it is something we have to adapt to even when we don't want too. But by looking on the bright side and always finding the good things in each situation, we become able to handle any type of goodbye life throws at us.