With dad and mum's anniversary here, I decided to put some thoughts down. First, I start by saying...

Congratulations Daddy & Mummy! Happy 30th Anniversary!

Rolling back the years...
In my last year of primary school, I changed school to one that was across town. Because it was far, we carpooled with our neighbors. One day when dad and mum were out of town, I had to walk home with my friends. Days later when they were back, someone reported to them that she saw "your boy and his friends" walking through town.

Mbarara is a small town, somehow people know people, they see things, they talk about them. If you are to do something or go somewhere questionable, it gives you one more thing to think about. People will be asking, "who's son is that?" "Where is he from?" There is an inevitable link that people make with who or where we came from.

Living here in Japan, with the rest of my family thousands of miles away, that link is something I never have to worry much about. All my family are going to know is what I tell them. And, people here know little about my family.

This month, marks 5 years since I came to Japan. As I was looking back at these last years living on my own, it is one of the things that came to mind. But, that is not the only thing that I realized. I also realized that though my family is in Uganda, they are also here with me. I noticed it in the little things I do in my day to day.

Like when I'm refilling my tea mug and I'm thinking, I am truly my dad's son. Dad likes his tea. Or when I'm sprinkling cinnamon into it, something I learned from mum. There is this thing I used to do, when spraying cologne, putting the last shot in my hair. My brother Joseph used to do it too.

There are other times, like when I'm in a hurry and I'm more running than walking. It reminds me of when I walked with Ruth, sometimes she had to keep me on a leash to stay in step. When I'm read story and I feel it wasn't correctly reported, I think of Joshua quoting the proverb "until the lion learns to speak…"

Yes, there are many of these seemingly small things that keep me connected with my family. One of those I'm most grateful for is that voice of wisdom of dad and mum. Or should I say those voices, whispering to keep me in line. Yes, here in Japan, if I do something they wouldn't approve of, they will never know. But that is not to say they don't have something to say about it.

When I'm having a lazy evening despite the fact that I have assignments and projects, I hear dad telling me "nyakazaana ayerinza ogu arakore". Paraphrase: You may have fun now, but remember your work is not going anywhere. Dad's Rukiga quotes, I pray one day I will have a son to tell them to.

Every now and then, situations come when the truth would be uncomfortable, but a lie could settle everything. I consider the easy way out, then see mum's disappointed face when she caught me in a lie. Seeing it brings much more discomfort than any telling the truth could bring.

It's not only for the rebukes, corrections and instructions. Sometimes I see some strange dress code and I'm left laughing alone trying to imagine what funny comment mum would have said. Sometimes I almost tell people's kids "I want never gets". I laugh at inside family jokes even when there's no one to share them with then.

Today, we celebrate 30 years of a blessed union, a blessed marriage. It doesn't take one to study architecture to know that a house is a good as it's foundation. "Mukama n'orukiri orugumire" (The Lord is the firm foundation). A marriage with Jesus as the foundation is surely a blessed union.

I'm happy and proud to be a part of this marriage and family. I've learned much as a son and an aspiring parent. I learned to love and care, because I was loved. More importantly, that I was set on the right path, the road to salvation.

Not just us family, all the other lives you have touched are all testament to God's blessing upon you. I pray for many more blessings and years together. "The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it." (‭Proverbs‬ ‭10‬:‭22‬ KJV)

Once again, Congratulations Dad & Mum! Happy 30th Wedding Anniversary!