It means “to formally put to an end”; “to officially end or stop;" “to completely do away with (something)" or “to end the effect of."

To formally put to an end. Seems simple enough right? To end something in a calm, collected manner. To just be done. To not dramatize the event of finishing it. However, if this is something that matters to us in the slightest way, how do we do it so gracefully? How do we “formally” end something? Whether whatever we are doing is acceptable or not, whether we are completely consumed by it or addicted to it, whether it’s something that will change our entire life, routinely or not or whether it’s something we simply enjoy doing but must take out of our day-to-day life. How do we just end it and walk away?

To officially end or stop. No problem, right? Just end it. Just stop. But what if this is something that causes you daily happiness? What if this is something you look forward to day in and day out? What if this is keeping someone else afloat? What if this is changing someone else’s world for the better? We can end so many things without thought, yet some are so much harder to end. Some we cannot even think about ending because we do not see what would be after it was over. Even though ending something could be good for so many reasons, it could be heartbreaking for just one. And that makes all the difference.

To completely do away with (something). Or in my case, I will just say with someone. To just take them out of your life. To live without them. To be without their presence in your life. To be able to function without them. To be able to look at them every day but not have them in the same way you used to. To think about them at night and wake up without them by your side. To talk to them each day but never touch them again. To be around them but never feel them. To know things about them but not know their heart. To completely do away with them. Can it be done?

To end the effect of. To end their effect on you. To end the effect of their presence in your life. In other words, to end the reason for your smile, the cause behind that feeling of safety, to end what you look forward to each day. But you could be ending the effect of someone else’s doubt, someone else’s insecurities. To end a negative effect on three other lives, yet to end the positive effect in two others.

To abolish. To destroy. If ever anything that meant the slightest thing to anyone was so easy to walk away from, I think it would be tragic to have it end so gracefully. To affect so many in a calm way would be close to impossible. Because someone will always get hurt. Someone will always end up alone. A heart will be shattered into a thousand pieces. A bond will cease to exist in the same way. Atmospheres will change, reputations will get ruined and, most importantly yet somehow beautifully, someone will be OK. Someone will see the hope in the end. And if you’re lucky, that someone is you.