Send the Buddha to the furthest of the West

There is one Chinese quote, 送佛送到西, which literally says sending the Buddha to the furthest of the West. It means finishing a task given and not giving up in the middle. But the quote is used in my family for another meaning. There is one unspoken rule that runs in my family. No matter how busy we are, we always find time to send the one who is leaving to somewhere considerably far away, to the train station, bus station, airport or wherever, to the furthest we can accompany him or her.  

It may seems like a simple thing to do, but it can be difficult to achieve sometimes. It is just a little thing, but it could mean so much. I am proud to say, my family never missed once to do so. One time, I even asked my parents to stay at home, there was no need to do so and not convenient for them to do so too. But they insisted. I never asked them why, because deep down I know very well why.

Nowadays, I have to travel alone most of the time. The most agonizing part isn't the fact of travelling alone. The agonizing part is to wait alone for the departure and arrive alone without anyone to meet up. Railway stations, bus stations and airports, are places of reunion and departure. All the hugging, all the tears of unwillingness to separate, all the laughter of joy... All are just so depressing if you are arriving or leaving, alone. Without anyone, especially your love one or the one you care the most, without a proper farewell at the station, whether railway or bus stations, or airport, is just unsettling and makes you feel shitty if you think about it. In fact, without a book or my phone to kill the time when I travel alone, I would probably die of sadness and boredom, and probably envy too, because I envy those with someone with them for the departure or arrival. And that's also the reason why I always try to arrive at the departure hall at exactly the departure time. 

So send your love one to the station, and go to the station yourself to greet them, give them a big hug, when they come back. Your love may not be particularly dignified or news-worthy, but be present for every moment you can,  to be with your love one.