One of the nice things about leaving is that old friends, acquaintances, and co-workers hear about your pending departure, and they seek you out to say good-bye. While it can create a last minute scheduling crush which means that you don't actually get to organize that desk, I do appreciate getting to catch up with them.
However, being someone who can feel some guilt about the tiniest things, seeing old, often out of touch friends can also create some "coulda-should-woulda"-isms in me.
"So, Kristin, how are things with Sam?" I asked my former co-worker as we sat down to our going away/catch up lunch the other day.
"Ah..we broke up two years ago...I am about to get engaged to Michael," she responded.
Oh, I thought to myself, I really should have called Kristin a bit more frequently since 1999 ...I should try to fit her in for another dinner before I leave....I could move Rob's dinner...
But then I am reminded of that wise sage Carrie in Sex &The City. The gist of episode 59 is that you can either choose to spend your energy on what-ifs, or you can cherish the experiences you did have (or, release those you missed out on) and move on.
Kristin and I ended up spending over two wonderful hours catching up. We smiled, hugged, and then said our good-byes. I left happy, and released those lingering regrets. If it is two more years before I see her again, I will nonetheless be glad to spend a few more hours to catch up on her interesting life.
No ifs, ands or buts.
