Yesterday, I stayed at my computer to read this transcript of Lesley Stahl’s interview with U.S. Senator John McCain.
This exchange — about his having the same kind of brain cancer a dear friend of mind is currently battling — will not be leaving me any time soon:
Lesley Stahl: Do you think that this diagnosis has changed you?
John McCain: No.
Lesley Stahl: Not at all. Same person?
John McCain: No, I think you gotta– you know, you just have to understand that it’s not that you’re leaving. It’s that you– that you stayed.
Yesterday, I was talking to another dear friend, Megan, who works with me and will be leaving the job soon because of a long commute and family obligations. Megan and I have been focusing on her leaving with tears and sadness. When I said to her, yesterday, “It’s not that you’re leaving. It’s that you stayed,” we both felt better.
It’s not that you’re leaving this post at the end, it’s that you stayed to read my words and look at my photographs.
That’s Megan’s office door, and I’m already imagining what it’s going to be like when she closes that door for the last time, in three weeks, when she leaves. It helps me to remember that it’s not that she’s leaving; it’s that she stayed.
It’s not that I left Merrily We Roll Along at the end of the performance on Saturday. It’s that I stayed to hear “Opening Doors.”
Thanks to you all, for staying.
I love this
I love how you stay, Beth.
Awwww it’s hard to stay when others leave us.
Thanks for staying, Ruth. It helps.
I’m here
Thank you for sharing John McCain’s wisdom in your own fine style, Ann.
Thanks for staying and sharing, Mark.
Hi Ann, a few little words for your workmate and friend Megan
It’s hard to see you leave.
You’ve been here a while.
Like an Oceans Coral reef.
You filled our days in style.
Like the first Autumn leaf.
We’ll remember your gracious smile.
I’ll remember your gracious words, Ivors.
It seems like John McCain has been schooling us all lately, Ann.
Thanks for staying and commenting!
I saw that interview. Almost made me cry. I’m not of his political party, but I’ve always thought he was a class guy. He gave good advice.
You are a class gal, Dawn.
Most of the time we’re lucky and aware enough to appreciate the impact others have on our lives, but sometimes it’s only when they leave, or are about to leave, that we fully understand how much their having stayed meant. Or, as a much better writer put it,
I hold it true, whate’er befall;
I feel it, when I sorrow most;
‘Tis better to have loved and lost
Than never to have loved at all.
I’m lucky and aware enough to appreciate the impact of your staying, Chris.
Leaving can never be avoided. It happens in life at various times and circumstances. And it happens at life’s end here. What matters is not leaving, but what one leaves behind. Have we left a legacy of vice or virtue. We all influence someone.
-Alan
Thanks for staying and leaving such wonderful comments behind, Alan.
Beautiful
It’s beautiful how you’ve stayed, Maureen.
Happiness is an achievement 😊
It is! You’ve stayed with this blog over the years, Alex, which makes me happy.
Loved Opening Doors. Thanks for sharing.
Love that you visited, stayed to listen, and commented, Carol.
So much to like here–but I especially liked you putting a little theater music into my Tuesday:). Thank you!
Thank YOU for staying to like and listen.
Pingback: Day 1731: The Beet Goes On | The Year(s) of Living Non-Judgmentally
As you well know, sometimes being there is just what is needed
Thanks for being there, Derrick.
for the real daring;
let others share
how wonderful
you were 🙂
thank you
for letting others share
how wonderful
you are
Pingback: Day 2364: Where would you go in a time machine? | The Year(s) of Living Non-Judgmentally