Every morning during summer camp I watch parents drop their children off in the mornings, and I have gathered some of the most touching moments and somewhat humorous when the parent says goodbye to their scholar. However, there is one moment that sticks in my mind because it's a moment that continuously repeats each and every day with absolutely no variation in words. There is always this young mom who drops her son off to school, walks in with him to the cafeteria and before hugging him goodbye she crouches next to him and says the following words: 

Be brave buddy

Be kind to your friends

Work hard

And be a gentleman to the ladies

I love you

I love the fourth line. It truly made me chuckle only because this student is just going into second grade. Regardless, the first time I heard it, I did say to his mom, "I love that saying." She turned to me and smiles and said, "I have been saying the same thing to him since I sent him off to preschool."

I have to say, I love the goodbye rituals. Because it says so much about the bond between the child and the parent. And it really brings to light what certain families value or emphasize. And regardless of what THAT is, one thing remains certain-there is always a love there-even if that love is shown and displayed in different ways. May you always remember that the message you transfer to others creates a ripple around you-be sure the message you are giving is the one you wish to give.