leaving...being left

This summer we've had a few different friends leave town. As they were preparing to leave, I didn't really know what to do with myself. I chided myself when thinking about it in the middle of the night, thinking I should really know how to deal with this. How many times in my life have I moved away? Then it hit me -- well, that's the problem. I've always been the one to leave. I've never been left. Now, college is a different world unto it's own -- everyone expects people to be coming and going, so I never really gave it a thought. It was naturally occurring and somewhat scheduled. And although I knew this would happen eventually, I guess I hadn't figured what I would do with it when it did occur. So it's been interesting to think about. When I have been the one leaving, I've always wondered if people 'back home' really did want me to keep in touch and let them know what's happening. Life does go on, and it's natural to not be able to keep in touch well; although, today is a different age with texting and Facebook and Twitter, etc. etc. etc. Now having finally experienced being left, I know that I want to hear about the new things taking place for my friends and want to keep in touch. There's really not much to say about it, except that I've had a new experience. I've now been on both sides. One thing is still the same: it's never easy to leave or be left. Sure, it's exciting to be in a new place, but you miss the familiar. Well, I'm excited for my friends, but I miss them. And now I know what it's like to be left.