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This Time It's Personal;Special Sad Sunday Edition ...
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What a wonderful land. Filled full of fantastic fir, spruce and pine forests, and fairy-tale type castles nestling near lakes amid marvelous mountains.
There's positively no point beating about the bush; Bavaria, Germany is beautiful.
But so is Sophie - as you can see for yourself.
Sophia Teresa - to give her her full title - is someone super-special to us.
Born twelve years ago this coming August - Sophie shares her granddad's birthday.
And by the way, this gorgeous little girl's granddad is none other than This Old Brit himself.
By far the best birthday present ever presented to anyone;anywhere, at any time.
But, the bad news is that Sophie's soon set to jet off to settle in Germany -- permanently.
In couple of weeks time, Sophie's mum - our ex daughter-in-law - is due to remarry -- a military man. Then a couple of weeks later they'll all be off to live in Bavaria, where the new husband is to be based.
There's hardly been a single week since Sophie was born that we haven't seen her - mostly right here at our house. When her mum works late - which is often - Sophie comes here for her evening meal. Also, we have her here to stay each alternate weekend; sort of 'sharing access' with her dad.
Whenever any school holidays arrive - including the six (summer) weeks long end of term break -Sophie spends more time with us than she does with either her mum or dad. So much so that we've often joked that she should adopt us - and/or that without any further faffin' about or any more ado, she should just move in.
But now it's all over.
We just hope against hope that someone over there ensures there's a special spare space for Sophie -- somewhere extraordinarily special.
Like in one of those fine fabled castles in the clouds;somewhere that's truly fit for our very own perfect little princess.
Sophie's the light of our lives.
Our hearts are breaking.
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posted by Richard at Sunday, March 11, 2007
7 Comments:
Oh sh*t Richard. My heart goes out to you (and your wife). Sophie looks lovely.
Though I'm sure you'll get to see each other pretty regularly. Germany isn't exactly the other end of the world is it?
Cheer up friend, there are still years of happy times ahead for you all. I'm sure of it.
Oh dear, Richard.
I feel for you both too, but I'm sure what Rex says is right.
He's certainly right about Sophie being lovely.
Hugs to you all.
Sorry to hear that Brit. I bet things will work out finr. I bet you all manage to make trips to see each other.
I'm sure Sophie will make sure her mum gets her back home to see both her grandparents and her dad, Richard. And, hey, I bet she'll become a real little linguist too.
By looking that sweet angel Richard, makes me understand your heavy heart. But you already aware of how beautiful Bavaria is. For me, who unashamadly loves beauty, Southern Bavaria with Switzerland, Tirol and Upper Austria is most beautiful part of Europe, or at least something which the most resonates with my heart. And I'm neither German nor Austrian to 'talk them up', although my brother lives happily with his family in Ingolstadt, the last two decades.
So your angel will live in a veritable Fairy Tale Land, among the wonderfully friendly, and famously jovial people of Bavaria, the most ungerman Germans, who fought tooth and nails the Prussians in the 19th Century, and were the last one to be coerced into their Reich, and to give up their Magical Kingdom. To tell you the truth, if the Devil would offer me one of his famous Faustian bargains, I would be willing to give him central Germany with its stiff Prussians, and that always toiling Ruhrland, if in return I could keep my beloved Bavaria, with a little bit of Rhein Valley and Saarland, thrown into the deal.
As a practical advice, -if you wouldn't have one-, get a pair of decent web cams, so you can keep in touch with each other visually, thus still be able to enjoy seeing her.
Tom's Webcam suggestion sounds like a super idea!
There's time yet before she actually goes. You and Sophie and your wife can teach each other and practice using it. By the time she goes, you will all have the routines down pat.
I feel confident your special relationship will last and grow stronger. Kids going through adolescence need a trusted adult (or two) outside the immediate household, one they can confide in, ask advice of, and even share secrets with.
Sophie is also getting a chance to live in a new and different culture, learn a language in a genuine way. If they live on a base, encourage her and her Mom to get off the base and explore. Will she be able to go to a Bavarian school?
Thanks so much for all you thoughts, tips, advice etc.
Much appreciated, friends. Honestly.
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