So, even though this thread has a religious coat of paint, I

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So, even though this thread has a religious coat of paint, I don't think solutions for my problem are necessarily restricted to religious answers, so not really looking for some edge debate or whatever.

I've been serving in Children's Ministry for about two years. I have been interim youth pastor, I've gone to 3rd world countries to host and teach vacation bible school, I've been a counselor at summer camps, and all that. Never have I done something more rewarding and fulfilling and worth my time. Super hard at some points but always worth it.

The worst part is that as I grow attached to my kids (especially in temporary settings like overseas and summer camps), it brings me such pain and sadness that I may never see them again. For instsnce, me and my co-leader really got to minister and grow close to some really awesome guys this past week at a summer camp, and then when it was over, the kids and us leaders were super sad to see each other go. It still saddens me.

It's hard because, one, it's obviously never ever appropriate to keep in one-on-one contact with a kid, period. It's an excellent first step in safe guarding against any kind of abuse that sadly (and infuriatingly) happens occasionally this field. But two, after spending so much time with students, I want to see them grow up and, from a religious perspective, grow close to God but also see them develop into the awesome adults I know they'll become.

I guess my question is how do I get through the depression and sadness that comes from saying goodbye to people (kids and adults alike) I may never see again?