My Daughter Moved To Germany and I Cried

As many of you know, my daughter, Lauren, wrote a blog about her move to Germany last week. I also sent the inspiring piece to my followers and posted it on Facebook.

Again, I would like to thank her for writing and allowing me to post on her blog. I also encourage you to find many more thoughtful and inspiring blogs on her website, www.laurengenell.com.

I would like to consider her and Vijay’s move from a father’s perspective for this piece. The following is a cost/benefit analysis of a daughter’s journey from home.

Lauren moved to Germany last week, and it made me both sad and excited. Lauren has always been adventurous. During her college days, she studied in Italy and France, and I cried both times she left. She then lived in Nashville for several years, and I cried when she moved there. I guess I’m just a crybaby!

Gail and I did our best to help our children develop a love of travel and an adventurous spirit. When opportunities knocked, we wanted our kids to go for it, and when they failed, we wanted them to pick themselves up, learn from the experience, and move forward. Somehow, it worked. All four possess those traits.

But our training comes with a cost. They all moved away from home. Rats! I like them close by where I can watch over them. One would think that when your children become adults, get married, and enjoy their adult life, a parent would lose some of the attachment to them. Nope. Didn’t happen. I love them and care about their welfare as much, or even more, than when they were babies. (Now they don’t cry as much, and I don’t have to change their diapers). I am sure I love them more! I also know them a lot better than when they were children since I have spent so much more time with them.

Your love and concern for your children never fade. For me, those connections just became more intense. I suppose that is why when an adult child passes, the parent is just as sad as if the child were three years old. No, the love and concern never withers.

So, our family rented a home on the Chesapeake last weekend, and everyone showed up, including our four-decade-long friends, the Cartmills, and Uncle Jay. Our children grew up together and consider one another brothers and sisters. It’s rather cool. We had an absolute blast. The entire weekend was a send-off party for Lauren and Vijay. Our kids like celebrating significant moments in each other’s lives, and I am grateful.

Back to the cost/benefit analysis. I probably will not see Lauren and Vijay as much; we’re not sure. It just feels weird for her to move to another country. Germany seems so much further away than Nashville. They don’t speak English in Germany. They drink a lot of beer. They love to party. They make the best cars. The country is beautiful. But it’s still another country.

Funny, I can probably get to Germany as fast as Nashville. Not to mention, I love Europe, and the Army is giving them a three-bedroom, two-bath home, which means Dad will be occupying one of those rooms frequently.

I have no doubt Wiesbaden will be as fun as Nashville and more beautiful than central Tennessee. I talk to my daughters at least twice a week, and I am confident that will not change for Lauren and me. She continues to work for the same events company and will be back and forth to the States regularly, which means she will chalk up tons of airline miles. 

They are already searching for a church home, and this move will put Vijay in a position to rise to a higher rank. They also hope to have a child in the near future, which means my grandson/daughter will have dual citizenship. That’s pretty cool.

Well, I think I just talked myself into nothing but happiness and fulfillment from my daughter’s move! It pretty much covers every base I always hoped for her, and I get to see more of Europe.

Does the cost of seeing my child off to Germany outweigh the benefits for all of us? I think not! This whole thing is a win/win. So, I’ve wiped the tears from my eyes and now have a full-on smile. Germany, here I come.

Live Inspired!

Don Mark

P. S.

I also now possess the first review copy of my book, which is a beautiful, fulfilling feeling. The moment I first held it in my hands, I also cried. I really am a crybaby! Anyway, this means full publication, including the audiobook, is forthcoming. I’ll keep you informed. I hope you’ll pick up a copy of Lead Like a Bodyguard – Fifty-Two Timeless Leadership Lessons.