Saying Goodbye For The Last Time

It's really hard saying goodbye to these exceptional people. Some of them travel thirty-six hours by bus to arrive here. They can only do this every two or three months because of the expense and all the time involved. They come in 'caravans' on Monday afternoons and stay all week, leaving on Friday afternoon. When are you coming back? I asked someone today. In November, my friend, he said, I'll see you then. But I'm leaving in October so in my heart I know we'll never meet again, at least not in this life. My eyes fill up with tears; I cannot hold them back. I have to leave, but want to stay. Why does this have to be so hard?