I’d been rehearsing this moment
over and over again in my head
The moment I had to bid everyone goodbye
I thought I was strong
All twenty four year olds should be, right?
But as I stood in front of the gate,
the smile hiding the timid version of myself
crumbled down completely
Because leaving those dear to your heart
would never be easy
“Pa,”
was the only word I managed to say
as I cried in my dad’s embrace,
something I would never outgrow
I guess I would always be dad’s little girl
Mom didn’t say much
She never does
She doesn’t need to
because I know
she loves me more than anyone else does
I stared at their faces a little too long,
trying to capture what my camera could not
their fine lines
their familiar scents
their warmth
I wanted to bring with me,
wherever I go
I waved at them for the last time,
hoping the distance between us
would not separate us,
hoping this journey
would all be worth it