The Longing Behind Every Goodbye
Anne Murray once recorded a hauntingly beautiful song called “Somebody’s Always Saying Goodbye.” She sang:
Railroad stations, midnight trains,
Lonely airports in the rain,
And somebody stands there with tears in their eyes…
It’s the same old scene, time after time—
That’s the trouble with all mankind,
Somebody’s always saying goodbye.
There’s something about goodbyes that touches the deepest part of the soul. Whether it’s a small moment—like watching your child climb onto the school bus for the first time—or a life-changing one, like dropping them off at college and that final hug before they walk back to their dorm room, tears in your eyes…
Goodbyes always leave a mark.
Even as adults, the weight of parting never really gets easier. I remember visiting my in-laws in Greenville. As we packed up the car to return to Illinois, we’d say our goodbyes, and there would always be tears in Dad Yearick’s eyes. It was never routine—it always meant something.
Saying goodbye is hard. But maybe that’s because it points to something deeper—a longing in all of us for permanence, for a place where no one ever has to leave. As we grow older, goodbyes become even more painful. We say farewell to parents, grandparents, friends, and sometimes, in heartbreaking moments, to children. My parents had to say goodbye to my sister—something no parent should have to do.
Yet, in the face of all this, we are given hope. Christianity holds a promise that sets it apart: that goodbye is not forever. Because of Christ, there is a day coming when we’ll be reunited. A day when there will be no more parting, no more tears, no more sorrow. Just the joy of being together forever.
So yes, goodbye may be a part of life now. But one day, in the presence of God, we’ll never have to say it again.
This heartfelt reflection explores how moments of parting—whether small or life-changing—touch the soul and point to a deeper longing for permanence. Through personal stories and spiritual insight, Jerry shares the comfort Christianity offers: the promise that goodbyes are not forever.