No Such Thing as Goodbye
A note from outgoing Program Director Shaunequa James
Dear Gilda’s Club community,
I’ve never believed in goodbyes, more like ‘see you later.’ Even as a child, I would never use the word. I learned at the age of nine that goodbye meant forever in this world; losing my grandmother taught me that. I would never see my mother in her physical being again after our last goodbye. In my world, there is no such thing as goodbye.
After five wonderful years, it’s time for me to see you all later. I will never forget the gift that each of you have given me in my time at Gilda’s Club. I laughed, cried, cursed, and laughed again with so many of you within the walls of the clubhouse or the screen of a computer. I have seen myself in so many of you amid your expression of love, grief, wonder, words said and unsaid. Thank you for seeing me, believing in me, and allowing me to walk the path that you were on.
Season after season, I’ve talked about changes and how difficult they can be; even when we know they are needed. As you begin to wonder about spring and yearn for the hint color and blooms, please know that no matter the season at Gilda’s Club, the magic remains.
For the last time, I leave you with this epilogue from Oliver Tearle:
Maybe our paths will cross
when this universe folds in and makes another.
Maybe, at the point
when all that is, and all that’s ever been,
collapses into everything else and is remade,
our paths will cross, however briefly, and
our terminus become a junction.
It may be a long shot. I will take it
and hope and trust our paths will cross again.
Stay gracious, my friends,
Shaunequa James, MSW, LICSW
P.S. Here’s an updated photo from the Gilda Gang that many of you have gotten to know over the past 5 years:
