protecting myself

As most of my friends know, I am an emotional person... I cry while reading books and watching Kodak commercials (heck, I even cried during the 'I wipe my own ass' part of Big Daddy), but I have learned to protect myself during goodbyes (I have actually had people comment more than once on how I handle them).

Saying goodbye to our families and friends when they leave is always hard.  We are on such a high waiting for them to come and then when they get here that it is almost a shock when it is time for them to leave.   I almost feel like I can't react and I don't know what to say or do.  To be honest, I think I am partly protecting myself and partly protecting them.  I guess I think that if I cry, they will cry, then I will cry harder.  I know that it is stupid, but it is the only way I know how to handle it.

Poor Brady, because of this, I usually end up breaking down about something stupid (like how I hate that he puts salt on his pizza and I'm going to end up a young widow....this actually happened).  Anyway, we are so blessed to have had our friends and family come and see us and I am so grateful for the time we spend with them.   Oh, and just in case you are wondering...I am always so, so sad to see you go...I'm just protecting myself.