So This Is What Goodbye Feels Like - Charlie Barbera

This the last day of Keeners. It's been 19 days so far. 456 hours. Countless memories. As I stare at the words on my laptop I feel pensive- melancholy- almost sad. The 21 friends I have made in this incredible experience will scatter to the winds by tomorrow- to Alabama and Germany- British Columbia and Connecticut. The world. My heart starts to race as I realize today will be my last day on the water with some of these fantastic people. Moments throughout these three weeks flash through my mind. Moments of David's attempt at a Back Panam. Moments of Carl leaving a case of Nutella open and provoking the wrath of Brooks. Moments of Clay and Steve-O and Nick and Kaleb and Joel and Bren and Anna and Sandra- teaching us. Showing us the beauty of whitewater- the passion they have turned to one of the greatest sports of all time. I have met people that were giants in the kayaking world, role models and idols to me. I have never been at such a loss for emotion. I have been excited all session. The adrenaline, the rush the joy of kayaking one of the greatest rivers with some of the greatest current paddlers and some of the greatest future champions- and now it's over. So this is what good-bye is. How do you say goodbye to such a group of people that have changed your life forever?  How do say thank you for making my world so much brighter? How can you ever find words for this moment? You can't. This is one of those goodbyes that burns in the heart, a fire that words won't quench. This is a goodbye that lingers on the mind, right in the corner, always watching. This is a goodbye to all of the friends I have made, all of the teachers I have gained, all of the family I have found. To David and David. To Jake and Jake. To Bennett and Hunter and James and Holly and Bella and Caroline and William and Brooks and Kyle and Garrett and Parke and Katie and Kate and Cat and Ray and Caelan and Carl. This is NOT goodbye- this is see you on the river.