The Family I Left Behind!
Fifteen years ago this month, I hoped on an airplane with my husband - a US soldier, kids and dog and left the land that I grew up, where I found my love, where I married my love, to start my final overseas move to Lakeland, Florida from Mannheim, Germany.
I have been back to my hometown Kemnath, Stadt (Bavaria) many times over the past years where I celebrated most of my family's birthdays in June, especially my mother's birthday on June 24th. I have six brothers and one sister; all of my siblings are older except for one of my brother, who is only about two years younger.
I love spending my time in Germany in June, the weather seems nicer and cooler than here in Florida and the daylight lasts until 10 o'clock at night. We usually sit outside to eat and drink and enjoy each other's company. And there are a lot of Bierfests going on around this time.
I was really looking forward this year to fly to Germany, but things happened and I had to tell my family in Germany that it is really not financially feasible for us to make the trip with my husband, one of my daughters and her fiancé. I probably could have gone by myself; however, due to my husband's injury that he received in 2006, I did not want to leave him behind.
Yesterday, I phoned my mom and wished her a Happy Birthday and told her that I was sorry that we could not be there this year to celebrate her 85th Birthday, whose health has been declining a little bit, seeing the babies born the past two years. All she said that she wished that she could come to see me and my kids this year again. She is a very strong willed woman, despite her strokes and recent illness. And with God's will, she will be here in Lakeland, FL visiting with us this fall. I also have twin brothers, whose birthday is today and one of them has been ill the past few weeks. So talking to the both of them today, makes me miss my family even more.
The picture below was taken five years ago at my mom's 80th birthday.
So Happy 85th Birthday, Mutti (mom)
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Petra - what a beautiful story! You are so forunate to be able to go back to Germany most years. I bet you are really looking forward to your vist from your mom in the fall. Thank you for sharing this.
Hi Petra, sorry to hear you can't go back 'home' this year, but you will make up for it when your mom comes there! (small world....I have family in Lakeland!)
Mary - Thanks for commenting, I thought I share my little story since I felt a little down. Yes, it would be nice if my mom is visiting us again.
Kara - I just thought I'd share it to make me feel a little better actually - my little therapy here on AR. BTW, really neat that your family is living here in Lakeland.
Hi, Petra: I hope writing this post and sharing your story today helped ease the sadness at not being there. I think you have a wonderful family and I'm glad you shared this day with all of your Rain-friends! It's a great post for the ThemThem group.
Jan - You are so right! When you down and out blog on AR, it helps bring your Spirit back up with the comments received and that is exactly what I needed to do. Thanks!
Hi Petra! Thanks for sharing your story. I hope that you'll be able to make that trip next year.
All the best,
Petra, nice ThemThem to Mom and the Family. I hope and pray for thier health and happiness. Happy belated birthday to Mom. Great family photo too!
Yvette - thanks for commenting and stopping by.
Duane - Thanks for the birthday wish and I appreciate your prayers.
Happy birthday to your mom. We share the same day on the 24th. Be Blessed.
Robert - Happy belated birthday and thanks for the comment.
Beautiful pictures. I am sure it is very hard to move so far from home. I am always impressed by people who are pioneers in their families, and forge an unknown path of their own.
Pam - Thanks for your comment and yes, as I think about it more often, such a move becomes harder to as time goes on, especially as my mom gets older.
Petra,
Thank you fro sharing your story with us. I am sorry that you were not able to visit this year. I know how hard it can be sometimes when I can not visit my mother and brothers in Southern CA. It is difficult when you live far apart from your relatives. However, I will believe that your mother will come and visit you later this fall at your home for a change. It would be great for all of you!
Have a Colorful Day!
Irene - Your welcome and I felt a lot better after writing about it. Thank you for your comment and reading my story.