Families are like fingerprints; there aren't any two that are alike. They are all different in many ways. However, there are things that are common with many families. Firstborns tend to take charge in parents' absence and last borns tend to be favored. Whichever family one is born into, there are things that come along with ones order of birth. For me, one of those is that I have a guardian angel for a big brother.

When I joined high school, it was the first time I was going to stay away from home for a long time. I went to Ntare, the school where my big brother, Josh was a senior student. It gave me a sense of security knowing he was around. Unlike other kids I wasn't afraid of bullying and teasing. When I was broke, I had someone close by that I could count on for break. His presence was a key element in transition into the new school.

 Years later, I traveled to Kampala alone for the first time. More often than not, one's first trip to the city turns out a disastrous. Getting lost, robbed, overwhelmed by the crowds...and so on and so forth. But that was not the case for me. I wasn't really alone. Josh was in Kampala. He picked me from the bus park, took me to where I needed to go, got me food, took care of me all the way.

Five years ago I applied to study in Japan. Until I finally left Uganda it was a process that took months. As usual Josh guided me on the trips to the embassy, for my interviews. All along I didn't give much thought to the fact that before long I'd be miles away from home on my own. It wasn't until the day I received a call from the Japanese embassy confirming my official acceptance that I realized what I was going into. I was going to be alone. Even if it were possible to call, I couldn't call  Josh to ask where I could buy this or that, or how to get from one place to another. I had to figure out things on my own.

It’s four years now in Japan, I still call or message Josh asking for help. Well, now less often than before as I’m learning to be on my own, but I still do. Oh, even this website, he helped me set it up. Once in a while when there's something I can't figure out, he's my first call. Long before high school, through the years and not just the things I have mentioned, Josh has been the best big brother one could ever ask for. I believe Ruth and Joe agree with me.

Happy Birthday to my guardian angel of a big brother, Josh. May God continue to use your big heart to touch the lives of many. And may He bless you, Lucy and your family with many years of happiness and plenty.

Happy Birthday Josh!