As the calendar progresses our departure date feels like a very real event and not the abstract goal that we established almost a year ago. This heighten reality brings me face to face with the certainty of leaving close friends behind. Although we're headed around the world and we intentionally haven't set our final destination. On thing we feel pretty certain about is that we won't be returning to Connecticut. It's not going to be "good-by, we'll see when we get back" because we probably won't be coming back. So how do I say good-by to most of the people that I've come to know for most of my life? As I was struggling with this a word came to me from my youth; aloha. When I was a child our family lived in Hawaii and I was exposed to the word and concept of "aloha". The Hawaiian people use this word in a very beautiful and profound way. To them aloha seems to mean more than a simple hello or good-by. It also seems to covey; affection, love, compassion, kindness and an inclusiveness that expresses a recognition of wholeness, that you are a part of me as I am of you. So on November first when we cast off our dock lines for the final time in Mystic, I won't be saying good-by to all my friends and loved ones, nor will I be leaving them behind. Instead I'll be saying aloha and taking them all along with me in my heart.212 days...
