Time to say good bye to Berlin for the summer.
I “closed shop” last Thursday when my colleagues came into my office with farewell gifts, one being a compass to show us our way there and back again. We had spent several months with many individual and group meetings to organize the office in such a way that they would be able to run the show for the time of my absence. I must really say that I leave without any concerns whatsoever. The team stands together and shows an outstanding performance in so many ways. Quite a moment when you walk out that door.
Before I left, I gave them two cases of rosé from South Africa, 12 bottles, one for each week, possibly for our Wednesday evening drinks or our Friday lunches at the firm. It is a grenache rosé from piekenierskloofwines. I discovered this wine on a small German island in the North Sea called Amrum at a beach restaurant, the Kap 33. The piekenier on the wine label and the wine itself transport everything I wanted to leave my team with for the summer: The rosé is a summer wine, the piekenier on the label is a knight without weapons but a rose, gentlemanlike, chevaleresque, responsible, professioonal, a team player. I hope they will enjoy it and think of me when they open a bottle.
Quite a moment also when you know kindergarden is over and the next step – school – is not far ahead. Our twins had a little going away celebration at their KITA yesterday with a little ceremony and lots of hugs and kisses. My wife made this beautiful “stars and stripes” cake for that occasion. New ways ahead now…
