Why is it so hard to say goodbye?

Most of the time, I prefer to say, “I’ll see you later.” For me, a “goodbye” is reserved for something much heavier, more final, a one-way road that can never quite take you back to the same place. It carries a gravity you feel deep in your soul. It says: things will never be quite the same again.

For me, every goodbye summons a collection of memories. A treasure chest of relationships, places, challenges, discoveries, laughter, and victories. They are cherished. They are memorials. They are layers of a foundation built over years of adventures together.

And I confess, my room is full of those memory boxes.

Before I can say goodbye, I find myself opening them. I pick up those memories and hold them close to my heart. I feel the warmth of those moments well up in my eyes. They have shaped me, and their imprint will continue with me. Those indelible stories are mine to keep. But goodbye means the final page of a particular chapter has been written. A cover is about to gently close.

There is no way around it. Endings are bittersweet.

I don’t know about you, but sometimes I forget to appreciate the joy, the life, and the preciousness of a moment while I’m actually living it. It is only in reflection that the arc becomes visible and somehow its edges turn gold.

Maybe that is one of the gifts of goodbye. It reminds us to be perpetually grateful and mindful of the seemingly small things that make up the road we travel every day. Every person, a treasure of infinite value. Every experience, discovery, conversation, and interaction, a bundle of worth. Those moments are ours to keep. Don’t miss them.

My friends, my goodbye is near.

I have chosen to retire, and my last day will be November 29.

This wasn’t the ending I would have imagined, but perhaps endings never are. Life delights in surprises. The decision wasn’t easy. I love Disney, what we do, and how we bring something positive to our human family across the globe. I love the work, but more than that, I love the people I have been blessed to share it with.

Life opened an unexpected door. I wrestled with whether I should walk through it. Part of me wasn’t ready. Maybe part of me still isn’t. But after a lot of reflection and conversation with those I love most, I came to believe this is the right next step for me and my family.

I am grateful for the opportunity. I’m excited about what comes next. But knowing something is right doesn’t make leaving something you love any easier.

Why am I sad? What is this grief I feel when I think about leaving? I don’t think it is a denial of what is happening, or even a referendum on the decision. I think it simply means that the chapter I’m closing is worth some tears.

It mattered.
It really meant something.
It had value.
It was worth living. It was worth loving.
And it will forever be a cherished thread woven into the story of my life.

This journey has been unforgettable and precious. But as I take the exit ramp and begin a new adventure, I’ll be waving to all of you, dear ones, who continue down your own paths toward new challenges, new adventures, and destinations I can’t wait to see you reach.

I still have a few pages left here, so this isn’t my final note. There will be time over the next several weeks to say more, to remember together, and hopefully to see many of you before I go.

But I wanted to tell you myself, and I wanted to say this now:

Thank you!

Thank you for the adventures. Thank you for the challenges. Thank you for the laughter, the lessons, the trust, the kindness, and the memories. Thank you for letting me share a stretch of this road with you.

It has been an extraordinary privilege to be part of this team and to work alongside all of you. I look forward to watching your stories continue to unfold, and wherever my road takes me next, I’ll be cheering you on.

There are still a few pages left in my chapter here. I hope some of them include you. Please reach out if you want to talk, reminisce, grab a coffee, or simply say hello.

And when the time comes, please forgive me if I don’t say goodbye. I’d much rather say…

I’ll see you later!

Jason