AM NOT A PERFECT DAD; HAPPY BIRTHDAY BLAIR

 AM NOT A PERFECT DAD; HAPPY BIRTHDAY BLAIR

Blair locked in a TV cabinet

That early morning, I woke up brightly shining on my face. Shining with the knowledge that some gift was coming any time, any moment. And not the Jameson gift, don’t even think of a cake gift. A precious gift was coming. I avoided having a drink the previous night with the fear that sleep would catch up with me. In the cold morning of 2^nd July 2013, a day like today I drove my old dark green Bayerische Motoren Werke commonly known as BMW to the hospital. Anyone peeping into the old dark Bayerische Motoren Werke, would think a balded gray haired man was behind the wheel. No! It was anxious skinny young man with besides him a mother, a woman and wife, then heavily pregnant and anxious to receive a new born. Expectations were high but the worries were equally high. Somewhere in the East of the city of many lights, a baby was about to be born. I knew a funny and jovial boy was about to be man. A boy who would lock himself in cabinets, fridges, climb trees and make fun of his colleagues.

I packed my old KAP BMW outside a modest hospital. I carefully held her hands towards the triage and after a few minutes she was forwarded to the theater team. The reading of the theater wordings on the door that read, ‘remove your shoes’ brought cold shivers down the spine. At some point, the theater team opened the doors and I saw men dressed like the astronauts. I could see scalpels and complicated machines on a couch. I trembled on seeing this but again, I held my hands together, closed my eyes and said all will be well. And in need, after moving up and down and grinding my buttocks on the wooden bench outside, I heard a loud cry, a cry of a new born. On that cold morning of second July, I knew Ayden Blair Mutuma has been born.  People generally say “Thank God for giving us such wonderful parents”. I want to break this rule on your birthday today and say, “Thank God for giving us such a wonderful son”. HAPPY BIRTH DAY BLAIR

Today, you turn 2 years old to growing into being a man. Our dear son, becoming a man is more than reaching a milestone. It’s a process that began on that day two years ago when you took your first breath and will continue until that time in the future when you take your last. Blair, being a man is not about accomplishments, athletic prowess, having many women, mechanical ability or financial assets. Being a man is more about character, compassion and courage. A man has character when he is a person of integrity who can be depended on. A man has compassion when he not only cares for others, but demonstrates it by putting their best interests ahead of his own. A man has courage when he does what is right even what it's difficult. I believe you are a long way along this journey to becoming a man. You have learned so much already. You show so much promise. HAPPY BIRTH DAY BLAIR

You have grown so fast. You have grown to be funny, mischievous, and jovial with a laughter that brings joy to the entire family. You break the monotony of silence in the family and indeed you are living up to the meaning of your surname; Mutuma meaning someone who closely brings people together, unites and brings peace. Peace be upon you Blair. I know am not a perfect dad, but at least, I can attest to being a good dad. Jesus himself was not perfect but he was a good example to his disciples. On your birthday today, you can just mumble some words, words your dad and mum barely understands. This early morning, I had a strong urge to send you a text message to say happy birthday, to call and sing to you a birthday song, but I knew this would be Greek to you. I have no doubt that one day you will grow to be knowledgeable with courage and strength to read this blog whilst blowing all the candles out. And you will say, this was a message from dad. HAPPY BIRTHDAY BLAIR

I have figured out what’s the most difficult thing to do. I don't think its climbing a mountain, going down River Thingithu and swimming in Nciumbe, not holding Nthenge or Nturume by your hands but I think it’s the counting of your wrinkles in your face. I would wish you to remain young but it's impossible. Wrinkles will come with wisdom. Do not despite having the wrinkles my son, never worry of them. You will have grown to your wishes. Work hard to avoid worries at a later age. Son with wrinkles and grey hair and boosting of greater achievements, then worries will be no more. A healthy diet, a healthy and genuine smile, and a good life will sustain you to blow the 120 candle just like your grate grandfather Paul M'Ikiugu Muriorema. While you have been growing, I might have lost those precious moments to watch you dance with your funny style, Chini Kwa Chini with your legs bowed like an arrow. Yes I admit I have been up and down, not dancing out, but trying to make life better and enjoyable for you. On your 2^nd birthday today, we celebrate the love of you Sister Sasha, Aunties Lucy, Joy, Wanja, your cousins Sheanice and Sean and Uncles Peter and Domenic. And above all your mum Doreen. We too celebrate the love and guidance of grandparents Mark, Jane, Riungu and Grace When you were born, the joy was with them, when you got sick and sent everyone into panic, all these people were with you. And on your second birthday today, all these people are with you. It’s with a jovial scream and cry that we say HAPPY BIRTHDAY BLAIR.

Blair, I do not plan to dictate your thinking. I do not plan to indoctrinate you with my thoughts and wishes. But I will guide and leave you to decide for yourself. Do as you wish, think as you wish, act as you wish but the most important thing, is that my religious and spiritual beliefs do not necessarily need to be yours. You have a free and flexible mind, you are a gentleman and you have a right to settle on what you think is good. Your dad is not perfect and you will not be perfect. If you choose to walk the path of sainthood, well and good. If you choose to walk the path of religious criticism like your dad, well and good. If you wish to philosophically think like your dad, well and good. But always remember, on your second birthday, that dad warned you against extremism, shedding of human blood and jihad wars. When you do this, remember me, remember the wrath of an old man.  You can hunt, buy and only shed blood for edible animals that will form part of your meal and food for you family. Hope you grow to read this blog when you are grown up Blair. HAPPY BIRTHDAY BLAIR.

Dad

Kubai ER Ikiugu