"Good-bye" versus "see you next year"

From now until our departure, it's good-bye time. Or rather, as mom's friend BA put it, "see you next year" time. Last night mom had one such "see you next year" dinner with a group of friends.

Mom is not good at these things. Being cool is the only (safe) way she knows of dealing with separations. While everyone around her gets emotional, she acts like she's going to see everyone tomorrow again. Part of it is that she doesn't believe that people will really miss her. Another part of it is that it's easier that way. Fewer emotions, fewer risks.

But she doesn't feel she has to be cool when she's around me, so I know that she *is* going to miss many people a lot more than she'd like to.