Saying goodbye

Saying goodbye to my pupils when they're at the end of their sixth form doesn't fall me that hard. They're off and they won't need me to make a place for themselves in this world. I usually give them a little present, more to quiet down the guilt of not having said goodbye properly – which will happen when I don't take the time for it. The kids accept with a simple thanks. I never expect them to be sentimental about it. They've got more important friends to miss.

Probably I'm just no good at saying goodbye. I don't like official moments to send someone off. Or I do, but I'm never quite at ease with all the emotions involved.
In between the goodbyes at school, I said goodbye to my dear friend A. on Monday. He'll move to France, which effectively puts a stop to our impromptu drinks. I still don't quite grasp it was probably the last time for us to sit in a café and talk and drink and laugh. I guess I didn't even say a proper goodbye. There is email and Skype to keep us connected, but that can never be the same, can it? Even though right now he's still only a message on my phone away, I miss him already.