Every time that she says goodbye now, even when she is just leaving the salon for the day, it feels like she is saying goodbye. Not see you soon. I always grieve ahead of time in hopes it will dull the pain when the day actually comes. I always try and press it in now so I do not have to think of it later. Then. 

The last time we went running together, we walked the whole way. It was a Monday and the leaves had been pushed down by the snow; They were less crinkly. We had breakfast just like other mondays. But it was goodbye. I knew that. My friend. 10 years of raising or arms to mKe people beautiful. Now I was all alone. For 6 years at least, the military would take her. So goodbye is the appropriate word, despite texting and calling and visiting home. Work will not be the same. I know it.