Take Care

Of late I've started pondering over the exact meaning of these 2 words. At the end of each conversation , the person at the other end of the phone or computer(while having an e-chat) tells me to take care or tc. Does he/she mean it? I dont know or rather, I dont think so. Take care has lost its literal meaning and has gotten reduced to a mere farewell notation.

When my mother rings me up,she gives me all sorts of advices and enquires each and everything about me ; whether I'm having good food, whether I'm taking care of my health, driving safe, following her instructions, etc etc. At the end of the conversation she asks me to take good care of myself and from the sound of these two words coming from her mouth I can make out the genuineness and affection with which she says those words.

I dont tell anyone to take care until and unless they are in some bad state of health or affairs because I dont feel the need to. If what I really want to do is bid the person at the other end goodbye,I just say the usual byes and ask them to keep in touch as that is what I want them to do most of all.
A person doesnt need to remind the other to take care but he definitely has to remind the other person to keep in touch with him,though even that would probably fall on deaf ears.

So the next time you talk to another person,dont use these words unless it is essential at that particular moment as the significance of these words would be lost somewhere in the goodbyes.

take care