I see myself as an adventurous traveller who has not only wandered the world, but also through life, and experienced a lot in the process! I have seen and experienced so much! I have pieced together the great mosaic of life and learned so much in the process. It has been an absolutely fascinating process to experience all of this – these incredible visits to such diverse places around the world that have shaped and inspired me so much. But in the midst of all these exciting trips, inspiring encounters and incredible adventures, it was my children who were at the centre of my universe and who truly fulfilled my life!
As a (nearly) single father, I often felt like I could take on the world! There were days when I felt overwhelmed, days when I doubted whether I was doing justice to all their needs – and that was an exciting time! But when I look at my two daughters today, all doubts are blown away! They have developed in their own wonderful way – and are simply great! I love to think back to the many conversations we have had – from their curious little children's questions to the big, exciting topics of life, which they became more and more interested in over time. Every decision they made, every goal they set, and every dream they had seemed to reflect something we had experienced or discussed together – and it was absolutely amazing!
And now that they have grown up so much, they themselves look at the world with curiosity and a sense of adventure – what an exciting time! They, who once needed my support, are now standing on their own two feet – what an exciting moment! It's as if they've taken the torch of life from me, ready to go their own ways as I withdraw more and more. The pride of each grown-up person has grown – my whole chair.
All these trips were just incredible! They have shaped my life so much and I am so grateful for that. And no matter where I travelled, I always felt that my children are the greatest and most exciting journey of my life! From their first wobbly steps to the brave steps they now take independently into the world – they are the real adventure! These trips were just incredible! I learned so much from them. And now that they are conquering the world and becoming travellers in their own right, I see that they are doing exactly what I myself have always done – with curiosity, joy and an open heart!
I look back with a smile on all that lies behind me and full of anticipation for what lies ahead! They have taken the wheel and I can sit back and watch them go their own ways. What a crazy and at the same time so natural turn of life! I, who once saw so little of the world directly and often only passed on my wisdom to them like a velvet hand, can now watch how they shape their world themselves. What a beautiful cycle!
I am so incredibly proud of my wonderful children!