How do you say, “goodbye?”

How do you say, “good-bye?”

It’s never easy. Especially when our good-byes are to a loved one, a longtime friend, a neighbor, a classmate, a colleague, and even those who had just a small part in our lives. Or sometimes, it’s a home we’re leaving for another, a church or a school we once attended.

It’s hard.

And this time of year, it seems, is all about good-byes.

Earlier this month, more than 300 young men and women bid Brandon Valley High School adieu as diplomas were placed in their hands. Some of the graduates were jumping for joy. Others were probably sad their high school experience has come to an end. And it’s likely others felt a huge sense of relief.

Through the lens of my camera, I was witness to all of those emotions.

I clearly heard the emotion in Hannah Hageman, one of two seniors who welcomed the commencement crowd and made introductions as necessitated. As her voice cracked mid-sentence, her classmate, Ian Candy, stepped in to say what her emotions weren’t allowing her to say. 

No matter the emotion, it’s never easy.

As one class of students begins their journey into “adulthood”, another class steps into their senior year, a year that’s filled with a plethora “for the last time” moments. The last homecoming. The last season of high school football. The last high school fall play. The last choir or band concert. You get the picture.

In Valley Springs, residents are saying their “good-byes” to the 100-year-old school that’s stood sturdy and strong at the west end of Broadway Avenue for just over 100 years. When the school year wraps up this week, it will be the final time that kids will be in the building learning to read and write, multiply and divide.

On Saturday, a farewell party was held in honor of the 100-year-old school. It was an opportunity for past and present students and community members to walk through the building that’s been tagged as “the hidden gem of the Brandon Valley School District.”

Emotions are high regarding the closure. And I get that. Surely, there’s not a community around that ever wants to see the doors to a school close. The school, as you know, is oftentimes the heartbeat of the community, and I have no doubt that the Valley Springs building has been just that for the century it has served as a learning place for generations upon generations.

Later this month, the Journal will publish a tribute to Valley Springs Elementary. It will include photos from Saturday’s farewell celebration and the last day of school, along with memories of those who are willing to share those memories with us and our readers. Please email your memories to me (editor@bvjournal.info) by Friday

Last week, I sat down with Pastor Greg Johnson for one “last” interview. He’s retiring from his full-time parish position at Beaver Valley Lutheran. His retirement, until recent weeks, was “happening” under the “radar,” but once I caught wind, I knew this was one “last” that I wanted to be a part of.

Although I don’t attend Beaver Valley Lutheran, from the very first time I met Pastor Greg – now just over 10 years ago – I found him easy to talk with. As I learned in our “talk” last week, he’s just a few years older than I am, so we share the commonality of growing up in the same era, an era that encouraged working hard for what you have, want or need. No disrespect to the younger generation, because “one size does not always fit all”, but that “hard work ethic” is not as prevalent as I once knew it to be. Years ago, you had to “sell yourself” to be selected for the position, and you were probably one of multiple applicants hoping to be the chosen one. Today, employers are “satisfied” having a “living, breathing” body in the position.

Over the last decade, I’ve had multiple talks with Pastor Greg, especially over the past two years after a Memorial Day weekend tornado damaged the church building leading up to the congregation’s 150th year celebration. Our talks through that time began with picking up the pieces and keeping the congregation together amid the destruction. We talked about new visions for the church and for its needs today and into the future. We talked about 150 years of faith and fellowship. We talked about church designs and construction delays that led up to the eventual dedication of this “rebirth” at Beaver Valley earlier this year. 

Last week, our talk took place in what one day be the incoming pastor’s office, whoever that may be. The walls are bare, as are the shelves of the bookcase and the desk. Pastor Greg told me that this would be the “first” meeting he had in this space, ironically so, for a talk on his “lasts” at Beaver Valley Lutheran.

Pastor Greg’s final Sunday sermon inside the sanctuary is this Sunday. His farewell service will take place at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 29 in the church’s outdoor pavilion.

As our near-hour “chat” was coming to an end, I confessed to Pastor Greg that I’m going to miss our “talks.” And like Hannah Hageman doing her best at commencement exercises, my emotions tugged at my heart and dampened my eyes. It was then that I internally reminded myself, this is not ‘goodbye’ forever. He and his wife, Nancy, will continue to live on Brandon’s westside, and our paths will surely cross again, whether that be at the grocery store, a ballgame or perhaps in a church pew as fellow worshippers. 

Best wishes in “retirement”, Pastor Greg and Nancy.