Never Can Say Goodbye: A Dad’s Wisdom on Letting Go and Saying ‘See You Later’ to His Only Daughter Leaving for University

Every parent dreams of the day their child steps confidently into the world — and yet that same day can quietly horrify them. It’s every hope and aspiration wrapped in a single goodbye. It’s the mission you feel you were put on Earth to do… and the moment you wonder if you actually did it right. In this episode of The Coach’s Corner, I share the journey of sending my only daughter, Makayla, off to university — a moment that brought back memories of our car rides together, listening to the Jackson 5’s “Never Can Say Goodbye.” It was our ritual. Our soundtrack. Our reminder that even when life moves forward, love doesn’t let go. And woven through this story is our faith as parents — because we almost lost her before she was born. We held onto God, believing He would bring her here, believing she had purpose, believing she would make a difference in the world. Her name, Makayla, means “Who is like Yahweh.” Now she’s here — or rather, not here with us anymore — as she steps into her own life at university. The same faith that carried her into this world is the faith we lean on as she walks into the world of her future. This episode is about how parents — not only as leaders of their children, but as the ones who must eventually send them into the world — learn to say not goodbye, but see you later. Learn more at: *** NEW *** TCC Leading Under Pressure Program for Emerging & Executive Leaders https://www.mindmarker.com/leading-under-pressure-the-renewiq-master-journey/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/denleymcintosh/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thecoachescornerpod/ TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@coach.denley.tcc Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters: https://missionmatters.com/author/denley-mcintosh/