As I watched my son wave ‘bubyee’ to the Teletubbies, flapping his little hand, I wondered what other goodbyes he would experience during his life.

The goodbye from his mummy when he stepped foot into school for the first time.

The goodbye to a best friend as they moved away to another country.

The goodbye to his Grandpa as he waved uncertainly to a large box.

The goodbye from his dad as he helped move new furniture into his new home, marking the start of his grown-up life.

The goodbye to his first love, who broke his heart.

The goodbye from a coworker who said they would work together for decades but got made redundant.

The goodbye to a family friend who was lost to Alzheimer’s.

The goodbye to his first child, who never took her first breath.

The goodbye from his wife as she packed his favourite lunch and told him they would make it through the day.

The goodbye to his second child, who couldn’t wait to start school.

The goodbye to his boss who retired and said, ‘You’ll be a much better boss’.

The goodbye to his third child as he gave her away on her wedding day.

The goodbye from his mummy as he stepped foot into her hospital room.

The goodbye I wish I never had to say.

‘Eh-oh! Eh-oh!’ My son was flapping his little hand with vigour, excited for another episode.

Excited to say hello rather than goodbye.

And so, for now, we said, ‘Hello’.