“A woman with a scarf over her head hoists her six-year-old up onto the first step of the school bus. “Good-bye,” she says.
….
The noise of the traffic almost drowns out the sound of the word, but the shape of it lingers on the old man’s lips. He tries to look vigorous and resourceful as he holds out his hand to the other old man. “Good-bye.” This time they say it so nearly in unison that it makes them both smile.
It was a long while ago that the words God be with you disappeared into the word good-bye, but every now and again some trace of them still glimmers through.”
-Frederick Buechner, Whistling in the Dark, as quoted in Kimberly Long, The Worshiping Body, page 62
Yep. Good stuff form Mr. Buechner.
*from