Bittersweet Goodbyes

Smiling person wearing a college shirt, posing in front of corn fields.

Editor’s note: This post was originally written on May 11th, 2014. It has since been updated to reflect continued personal growth and the appreciation that deepens with time.

Welcome, dreamers and doers.

Some seasons in life don’t announce their significance until long after they’ve passed. This post revisits one of those quieter endings. A final gathering that, at the time, felt simple but now carries the weight of a more meaningful goodbye. Whether you’re navigating your own ending or reflecting on one from long ago, I hope these words meet your where you are.

So today, I’m inviting you into one of those quieter endings. One that shaped me more than I first realized.

Before joining a student organization, I found myself in a season of uncertainty. I had stepped away from something I once dedicated myself to, unsure of where to turn next. What I didn’t know then was that saying yes to something new would quietly reshape my path.

Joining the student organization was more than just meetings and events. It gave me connection, purpose, and the steady return of something I’d been missing: belief in myself. Little by little, I found my voice, grew more confident, and began seeing my future with fresh clarity.

Looking ahead, knowing many of us would soon step into leadership roles, there was a quiet excitement. We each brought something unique, and the thought of building something together, not just for ourselves but for others, felt like the kind of beginning worth working toward.

Maybe that’s what community really is: people willing to show up, not perfectly, but fully. People who remind us that we belong, even as we’re still becoming.

Thought time has passed, I carry those lessons with me still. Growth often begins in spaces where we feel seen, supported, and challenged to become who we’re meant to be.

Here’s to honoring the good things, even as they come to an end, and to the new beginnings they quietly make space for.

Who or what shaped your seasons of growth? I’d love to hear your story, feel free to share in the comments or reflect quietly in your own way. Either is enough.

As a signature of my blog, I’d like to end this post with a suggestion to “Pass on kindness.” There’s no time like the present to Inspire Those Who Inspire You. Acts of kindness, no matter how big or small, can have a direct, positive impact on someone else. Go out there today and change someone’s life for the better!

***These are my personal opinions and may not be those of my employer.***