Hellos and Goodbyes

Yesterday I attended some mission "farewells" (I know that's not the politically correct term; or religiously correct term for that matter... but that's really what they are. Am I right?) of some good friends of mine. It was kinda sad, because I realized I wouldn't be able to talk to, or see these people for 2 years! And who knows what could happen in those 2 years?? People change; especially people like me that are my age... And I thought to myself, "will the relationship I have with these people be the same after they come home?" The answer- probably not. Why? It's the same reason you're no longer best friends with the people you were best friends with in high school. Sure, the loss of contact is one thing, but like I said, people change, and it turns out that you're closest to the people that you talk to the most; it's a fact. So no matter how you try, things never stay the same forever... So basically the point I was trying to make, was that it was sad. But ironically, these "farewells" (that are meant to say 'goodbye') also allowed me and all the other people that were there to say 'hello' :) Long lost friends (aka people that I waved at in the hallway) that I was able to reacquaint myself with. So that was nice; knowing that they still knew who I was, and surprised that some of them actually knew where I was going to school!

This past weekend I also had to say goodbye to a dear friend of mine; Kevin. He was so good to me. Got me to places that I wouldn't have been able to get to otherwise. He struggled, quite a bit actually, but he was so faithful and lucky for me, even though his time was due at any time, he never let me down. I do need to ask for his forgiveness though, since I didn't take care of him as much as I should have. And the one time that I let him go dead, because I left his lights on... Sorry again Kevin... But he was a trooper and got me through those  tough times when I was just a wee lad and didn't have a clue what it meant to be responsible. Well on Saturday, poor Kevin was replaced... by a younger, prettier, and more reliable car...

 Dear Kevin,
I'm sorry, but we all know that you wouldn't be able to make it the 250 miles up to Rexburg... and since I don't know a thing about cars, and wouldn't have the slightest clue what to do if you died in the middle of Idaho... So it's for your own good... Lucky for you though, my dad has decided to give you pity and renew your registration, and take you to work with him (shhh, don't tell Kevin, but it's only because he gets better gas than the Expedition...) and then hopefully you'll be able to stick it out until we can find you a new owner.... So long Kevin, I will miss your sun spots, and how you would rattle your engine when we would stall at a stoplight. I will miss the cute little sticker I put on the dashboard, so I would remember to turn off your lights. I will miss those long mornings in the dead of winter, when I would scrap the ice off your window. I will cherish those memories for years to come. Thanks Kevin, it was nice knowing you :)

Kevin (named after the bird in "UP") 

Along with the 'goodbye' I said to Kevin, I said 'hello' to a new special someone who I hope will be as good to me as Kevin was. This new friend of mine is who is going to take me to college, and hopefully treat me as well, if not better, as Kevin did. His name is Dug. He seems to have a good little engine, and will hopefully prove to be a good investment (even though he was more my parent's investment than mine...).

Dear Dug, 

I know you've been a part of the family for awhile now, and I hate to break it to you, but along with Kevin, you've also been replaced. But lucky for you, you get to leave this wonderful town of West Jordan and come up to Rexburg with me! :) It'll be fun, I promise. Don't worry, we'll come back and visit. Often :) So whada-ya say? Will you leave the warmth of the garage and come with me to the not-so-bustling town of Rexburg  with me? (shhh don't tell him that Rexburg is a little more than not-so-warm... I'm still trying to figure out how to break it to him...).

Dug (named after the dog on "UP") 

So the past few days, and weeks to come I will be saying a lot of 'hellos' and 'goodbyes.' But I know that they're for the best and all this change that I'll be experiencing will be good :)