wow that is very sad and touching, It reminds me of a doco I once saw about the old aboriginal culture. Apparently when someone is leaving they never say goodbye, because to them that means they won't ever see them again, it's always see you later etc (but not in english of coarse). When i saw that I thought it was a nice idea, goodbye does sound like you will never see them again, so when i see people off i try too say "see you later" etc.