"If you never say 'hello'...you won't have to say 'goodbye'"

I always liked that line, sung by Glenn Yarbrough in the animated version of "Return of the King".


I've seen lots of kids come and go all the time, at SMGC, over the years I've been there. Being someone who easily gets attached, especially when I've spent some time cultivating the budding athlete in these kids, I can say that I miss a heck of a lot of them in this wide world. Maybe it's one reason why I like archiving memories, so much. I've always had a certain obsession with history and posterity, recording this and that on tv, keeping a journal everyday, taking pictures, etc. I'd say one of my negative traits is that I often waste time, dwelling on the past, rather than live in the present.

With all the kids that I have missed over the years, I've never wept before when they leave. But last Wednesday, I wept for Tayler and Bryn. It was totally unexpected, and what set it off was the manner in which the Sulse girls got picked up.

We've known for quite a while now, that they were moving away. Bryn celebrated her birthday at the gym, beginning of the month; she and Tayler came pretty much every day, to summer camp. The other person to rival their attendance record is Nikki Aryapour. She and Tayler knew each other from Saturday class; but it was through summer camp that they really bonded.

When Joseph came to pick up the girls, Tayler was near me. She and I embraced, and I held onto her tightly, not wanting to let go. I think she must have started getting weepy, then. Nikki came over to say goodbye, and they both really started crying. It was heart-wrenching. Tayler ran off into her daddy's arms. I put my arm around Nikki, who was sobbing in pain. I watched Tayler crying from across the other side of the floor, face buried in her dad. I felt my own eyes well, then warmness flow down my cheeks. Joseph waved over to me and thanked me, but I could barely say anything, as I wanted to make sure I stayed composed. I could see Linda and Carol also wiping their eyes.

As the Sulses began exiting out the side, I told Nikki to go say her final goodbyes. Nikki tore away at breakneck speed and I, on her heels, called out to Tayler to stop. Bryn was ahead of Tayler and, carefree child that she is, turned and just waved with a big grin on her face; and just as nonchalantly, turned back around and was off to the car with her dad. (I did get to say my goodbyes and final hugs to her a moment earlier, so it wasn't like she was blowing us off). Tayler, however, stopped and she and Nikki had another long embrace. I also said one last goodbye.

Nikki was racked with more sobbing and crying after they left. It really was a surreal moment. Like being hit by a ton of bricks I should have seen coming. It just didn't occur to me that things would go down the way they did. I really blame Nikki (poor thing...).

I extended the song a bit; but much still got left on the cutting room floor that could probably have fit into the video. There's also a wealth of melancholy goodbye songs I could have chosen from. When I think of Tayler and Bryn, I think of upbeat music; but their final day....it just set a mandate for making another melancholy video (I seem to be making quite a few of those, these days).

Anyway, the video may make some of us sad and teary-eyed; but it should also make us smile and feel good that we have so many nice memories of these two wonderful kids illuminating Santa Monica Gymnastics Center with their spirit of laughter and fun.