My dearest son,
Benedikt
Today is your 4th
Birthday. It is another February 10th of the year. You were born at
5:42pm Pacific Standard Time. Your birth is a blessing and that’s why you are
Benedikt. You have helped us to be better human beings by reflecting our lives
as parents. Both Marie and I are thankful to God every day to have such a
wonderful little guy.
For the past
four years we haven’t settled into one area for a long time. You know it was
because of job change. I am proud of you whenever we moved you adopted quickly
and enjoyed the area. There is a big possibility to have another move this
summer. If I get accepted into my PhD studies, obvious we will move to another
state. You will enjoy more to the new area, play with snow which you’ve not
experienced in your four years. We’ll have so much fun.
On your first
birthday’s letter, I promised one thing. I promised to take you to Tanzania
when you are older enough so that you can meet all my family members and know
my roots. I remember you had a dream and said we were together in Tanzania and
you milked a cow….yes, when we are there you will milk cow. I think this year
we can work out and take you to Tanzania. Unfortunately you will not meet Babu
(your grandfather).
He is already in heaven with his three children; Scolastica, Stanslaus and Vincent. Though you’ll not meet him, you will get opportunity to see his legacy which I am very much proud of his accomplishments as a committed father, a non-corrupt personnel, religious and above all the only person who valued education to his children than any person I have ever seen in this world.
He is already in heaven with his three children; Scolastica, Stanslaus and Vincent. Though you’ll not meet him, you will get opportunity to see his legacy which I am very much proud of his accomplishments as a committed father, a non-corrupt personnel, religious and above all the only person who valued education to his children than any person I have ever seen in this world.
Recently we have
not been able to play soccer and run many times as we used to. We have to go
back to our routine of going to the park and have more fun. I know when you go
to school you will learn other kind of sports. I have no problem with any sport
of you and enjoy playing. What I promise is: I will support you in any sport,
take you to practice and attend your games. The most important thing is have
fun and enjoy the talents you have been given by God. But if you want to be
professional in any sport, remember hardworking and prayers will take you to
another level. Talent is nothing if you don’t work hard on it. Always remember
to pray and ask for God blessings no matter what, whether you are in success or
hard time.
Nothing in this
world comes easy. You will face so many challenges. You will fail and loose so
many things. The best thing is to learn from your failures and challenges you
face to make you a better person and a winner. This is one of the reason when
you and I compete on running I don’t let you win every time. I give you
opportunity to work harder. This is what Carl Brashear said “It is not a sin to
be knocked down; it’s a sin to stay down”. Always get up and do it again. Don’t
allow failure and challenges steal your dreams and achievements.
For the past
year, you started saving some money (pennies and quarters) in your pig bank for
ice-cream. You didn’t touch a single coin, you were determined to have enough
money for ice-cream. You managed to have like $20 for such a period. I’m very much
proud of you son in that accomplishment. To me is not about how much money you
have collected and saved. It is about discipline, commitment and long term
goals you have. Many of us hard time to have such discipline.
You and I have
our own tradition for your birthday. We are going to the bus ride as we have
been doing in all other birthdays. And this letter is another gift for you. I
have kept all letters I have written to you. I’m going to publish it into a
book titled “THE BENEDIKT FACTOR”. You are the really factor of my life. You
are the game changer.
You have given me opportunity to look life into a
different angle as a father and husband. You’ve helped me to know how important
mothers are to children. As most men we take things for granted. But being in
the labor room for your birth and see how mothers go through, I have different
and most positive perspective on women and mothers. I know without you, things
would be different.
You
are the best my little crazy guy.
Nakupenda
Sana
HAPPY
BIRTHDAY BENEDIKT FULBRIGHT MAKULILO
Your
loving Baba
Ernest
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