It's Not 'Goodbye,' It's 'See You' by Marianne Evans

Marianne Evans

When my son was a toddler, he developed the most charming idiosyncrasy. He never simply said, ‘Goodbye.’ Rather, with his security blanket tucked safe against his cheek, his eyes drooping with exhaustion after spending a Sunday with his boisterous extended family, he’d wiggle his chubby little fingers at Grandpa and Grandma and murmur, “Buh-bye. See you.”

He never failed to add the ‘See you.’

Over time, the way we interpreted it, a type of instinct seemed to kick in. You see, he never wanted to simply say ‘Goodbye.’ Instead, he clung to the words ‘See you.’ Goodbye was too final. Saying ‘See you’ meant there’d be another gathering, more shared moments, more laughter, more joy and happiness to be found. Together. To this day—and he’s an incredible grown man with a family of his own—he remains the same. That tradition carried over. When we get together, and a parting is at hand, we don’t say goodbye. We say, ‘See you.’

Those precious moments are amplified for me now and I’m hoping that instinct will serve me well as I come to a crossroads and wrestle with a difficult decision. Five years ago to this very month, I joined the Seriously Write team as a monthly contributor. Annette Irby (God bless her – she’s truly a hostess with the mostest) invited me to participate in this remarkable blog and embrace the mission of encouraging fellow authors. Being a cheerleader by nature, I embraced the journey.

During those five years, I gained much more than I gave, believe me, and I pray I’ve succeeded in touching a few hearts along the way. The thing is, life marches in, and marches on. After a lot of prayer and months of deliberation, I’ve decided the time has come to move on. Not to say a dreaded ‘Goodbye’ but to say, ‘See you.’

My prayer for each and every one of you who visit Seriously Write is that you find nourishment, and hope. I want to thank the gifted team that works tirelessly on this blog’s quality, message, and impact. You’re God-given treasures and I’m grateful for the time we’ve spent together, not just as fellow travelers on this crazy-wonderful writing journey, but as fellow travelers on the road to creating stories that honor Christ, affirm faith, and send a message of hope into a hurting world. Sharing my thoughts with you has been a privilege.

But, remember…

This doesn’t mean I’m gone forever. Perhaps the team will welcome me back when I have the occasional spark to share. This isn’t ‘Goodbye.’ This is ‘See you.’ And until time comes, may God bless you and shine through you.

With much love,

Marianne

   

*****

Benjamin Fisher melds with quiet perfection into the tapestry of the Fisher family. The youngest of the three Fisher men, Ben is gifted with skills that keep machines running, crops efficiently harvested, farm structures sound and secure.

But there’s one person in the small village of Antioch, Indiana who has noticed and adored the man since her youth. Hailey Beth Thomas. Hailey Beth’s sister is marrying Ben’s brother in a spring wedding that promises to be the event of the season. Thrown together as the heady romance of an upcoming marriage takes place, love and revelation come to life.

Unknown to anyone else, Ben wants to answer a call to the mission fields of North America that will lead him far from the life he has always known. Ben longs to serve, but he wants a life with Hailey Beth as well. Hailey Beth can’t leave Antioch, but can’t bear the idea of losing Ben.

Are they meant to be together, or will God’s call pull them apart just as they’ve found a way to one another?

*****

Marianne Evans is an award-winning author of faith-affirming fiction who has won acclaim from critics and readers alike. RT Book Reviews named her book Forgiveness a 4.5-Star Top Pick and readers laude her books as ‘riveting’ and ‘true to heart.’ She’s a life-long resident of Michigan who calls suburban Detroit home.