It’s hard to find the good in goodbye, isn’t it? But sometimes, you just have to take a step back, take a deep breath, and look around. I know you’re hurting, but here’s why you have to realize that your goodbye created a new beginning, one free of pain, free of sin, and free of sorrow for him who you loved.

It’s unfair to say that this is hard for me, because I know the fight you were putting forth every day was even harder. When you closed your eyes for the last time, I wish I could have witnessed the thousands of memories that you did as you flew up into serenity. Moments from your childhood, your working years, your son’s first steps, and walking your daughters down the aisle; I’m sure are just a mere few flashbacks that played like a movie you knew all too well. These memories are the ones from when you were happiest, from when you were free of restraint.

No one is ever ready to say goodbye. More or less, people are forced to do so. If I had it my way, my own selfish way, I would have kept you here forever. I’m sure if given the opportunity, any of us would keep a loved one here forever. What’s even more painful, though, is not being given the chance to say goodbye — so many words left unspoken, feelings left vacant.

Trying to find the positives in such a negative situation isn’t easy, but when you lose someone, you need think of how they feel now. For me, it hurt to see you in and out of the hospital. It hurt to walk into a house that was once a home to greet a man that didn’t even remember my name. I felt such pain from the things you were experiencing, but when I’m left to wonder how you felt. It’s unimaginable. And these changes in your behavior didn’t make me love you any less, trust me, but they made me miss you more and more long before you actually left us.

And now I sit here, numb to the idea that you’re actually gone. My face is stone cold, my body is weightless, and my mind is blank. I try to remember that you found strength in your final heartbeat, strength that you will now use to walk by each of our sides for the remainder of our journeys.

There are people in your life that inevitably shape who you are. Through their strengths and weaknesses, their ups and downs, their anger and happiness, you learn to be a human being. This person, I’m sure, has taught you the importance of relationship, love, honor, and respect. These lessons are ones that take over the role of this person long after they’ve gone, and it’s your job to preserve them; you owe to not only yourself, but to your angel that’s walking by your side.

Was it easy saying goodbye? No, it wasn’t. But, one day, you will find the good in goodbye — having a lot to do with the lessons learned and the emotions and strengths you’ve acquired from just one individual you were blessed enough to have. It’s both a blessing and a curse to have someone who means so much to you, because one day, you know they aren’t going to be there anymore.