How important is it to say goodbye to relationships that are ending?
How good are you at doing so?

As a life coach, I'm learning a great deal about how to say "goodbye".
As much as I celebrate and cheer the client's accomplishments upon completion, there is always a sadness in the parting.

Prior to doing my grief work and writing my book, I couldn't say goodbye to anyone. I'd just leave. Goodbyes are very important to me now.

In a completion session with a client, we review and celebrate the changes the client has made. We make a point of capturing the learning, and look at any unfinished business that may exist. We talk about forgiveness, breakdowns, and misunderstandings that may have occurred. We leave no rock unturned.

In this way the client and the coach can move forward without any regrets, resentments or reasons for not celebrating the relationship.

As I read this poem I'm aware of the extent to which my coaching clients train me to become a better coach. So the lines in the poem seem so appropriate to the coaching relationship as well.

"Years from now, when my roses reach for the roof, I will remember it couldn't have happened without the old wood that was you."

Thank you all past, and present clients for training me to become more. I'm grateful for the learning and yet another opportunity to say goodbye to intimate relationships.

In July, I spent a week at Yosemite National Park with my two grandchildren. It was one of the best vacations I've ever had.

There is no greater joy than to witness the lives of my grandchildren.

My own inner child gets great delight in hanging out with the two of them. We biked, hiked, swam, lounged in our room and did artwork. It was paradise.

We made some ground rules before we started on the trip to ensure that we would all have a good time. We played games in the car to entertain ourselves on the 6 hour trip.

I call it a "green vacation" because we spent most of our time outdoors. We didn't watch TV, use a computer, or a cell phone the whole time we were there. Lexi used her iPod one night when she couldn't fall asleep. Sadie said to me at one point, "Grandma, everybody is so nice here." Lexi remarked that time seemed to go slow and how much she enjoyed that feeling.

I never had the opportunity to spend time with either of my grandmothers. I feel so blessed to be a grandmother and to be able to cherish and nurture my grandchildren.

The girls saw a bear when they were out on a bike ride with a couple friends of mine. At one point, we were within 5 feet of three deer munching on leaves in a tree. My oldest granddaughter, Lexi, said, "Grandma, I've never been this close to a deer." It was sweet.

On the way home, I taught them Pig Latin. What fun. I made reservations for next year. We're going back next July if mom and dad say it's ok.