D is for DEPARTURE

We were gardening in a little triangular flower bed that ran parallel to the drive leading towards our top entrance, on the day that he chose to leave. Walking past, he glanced in our direction with a look that was a mixture of anger and resignation but was clearly meant to extract the maximum amount of concern and sympathy from those to whom it was directed. And certainly not the indifference and wry smiles that greeted his departure. But though it was difficult not to derive some amusement from the moment, we suppressed the desire to laugh loudly and buried ourselves in our digging. On he walked, until he reached the gates, about ten yards beyond the bed, at which point, a careful yet disguised backward and supposedly last glance in our direction to check for movement or even a goodbye wave and then, with no apparent reaction from the gardeners, he disappeared out on to the lane. Neither of us knew what was in the small suitcase that he had dragged up the drive but if it was his life savings, then it couldn't have been too heavy since he still was only about five or six years old, but we guessed there was probably a teddy bear, maybe his pyjamas and a Beano but little else. And, after all, granny's house was only forty yards beyond. Anyway, he came back shortly afterwards, though I can't remember whether it was of his own accord or if we went to fetch him or if granny arrived with a prodigal in the car but what always sticks in my mind is that we remember him leaving but can't recall why. The next time he would leave home with a suitcase and without us, would be many years later, but we knew exactly why and many times since, for holidays, school trips, training camps, church and youth weekends and university the same scenario has been played out for both lads, but the great thing is that they always have come back to where they started. Yet experience tells me that this will not always be the case and some day they will find a new place to dwell even if it is never home.

Yes departures are never easy but the call of home is strong and somehow I think it is almost always more difficult for those who stay rather than for those who depart, for that very reason. We had the privilege of spending part of two summers with a great friend whom I'd known from childhood, but who had spent all of his adolescence and adulthood on the other side of the world, but like all good things, his time came to an end and saying goodbye was infinitely more difficult than saying hello. And while he found parting difficult, he was ready to return home to his family and the longer tears were probably ours. I know because I've stood where he stood and said goodbye a thousand times but ready to say hello to what I long to see again.

I remember in our school magazine, at the end of every school year, there were always two lists of pupils for whom salvete and valete had special meaning but I'm sure for those who had been their teachers and mentors for the previous seven or so years, that latter list of farewells often brought tinges of sadness mixed with a degree of satisfaction that they had been of some help in shaping the lives of children left in their care. As our other son, not of the suitcase fame, prepares to spend a year away from home on a university placement and mission experience, I'm sure departures will be a subject I shall return to before the year is out.

Before Jesus left his disciples and departed for heaven to be with His Father, His promise had been simple and straight forward when He said 'And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.' Even the angels who comforted the disciples after His departure reminded them of this fact. 'Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.' I think that probably puts human departure a little more into perspective, to know that our final parting, if we believe in Jesus and have made Him our Saviour, is really only temporary and some day we will be reunited with Him and with each other. I guess that's why when mum was about to make her final departure, just two years ago next week, she wasn't so sad after all, because she was going home for ever. Goodbye for now.