A while back, we are standing in the farm with my dad looking at the house my elder brother was constructing in Meru, where we grew up. So, my dad says, “Next to where Chris is constructing, is John’s portion then there, Titus then Mwenda. By the time, he was done showing me, I could see he had literally divided out the entire farm. I then asked him, “what about me? Surprised, he asks, “What about you what?” I tell him, “What about my share?” He says, “Uuuuuuh you can have your share in Nkiluthu, Rwanda hahaha “Dad, but that is like 4-5 hours from here? I want one here, like my brothers.”

See, this is how I grew up. I grew up with 4 brothers, but our parents loved us the same and provided equal opportunities for us. There is no day that the awareness or the fact that I am a girl ever be a reason why I wasn’t given anything or not accorded an opportunity. That is why even the  portion of the land was ish ish😂😂🙈. I know in some cultures; boys are preferred to girls but I was the apple of my dad’s eye and him and mum made sure I knew and was aware of that. Once, I even followed dad and my 2 brothers to go sell a cow at the local livestock market haha culturally, that was weird.

Growing up, marriage was not elevated to be a kind of a trophy to me. You know how parents especially mothers keep telling their daughters to learn how to do house chores so that they get husbands and the lack of doing them could render them single forever. My experience was very different. Instead of putting marriage up there, as the ultimate achievement, I was accorded opportunities to become the best and dad ensured I got the best education and the best of everything.

Dad ensured I grew up very bold, confident and very empowered. When I brought the one I thought was the one😂🙈 home after campus for my graduation party, my dad’s response was, “What are your plans for Masters?” LoL “Have you started doing job applications or given Strathmore an updated CV so that they help you get a job? What are your plans?” To him, I could do more and there was no pressure for marriage or anything else in life, just success!!! Thanks to my dad, I grew up an empowered woman. And I still am. I put in the work and go for what I want. Thank you, Dad.

Despite dad being in the Defence Forces, for 33 years, daddy ensured that he was home, each and every weekend. When people ask how often he was home, because of the perception that growing with an army dad is crazy because of being posted all over the country and sometimes, abroad, I say it was normal for me. Dad ensured that he was present in our lives, whether he was posted in Garissa, Wajir, Gilgil, Isiolo Archers, Thika, Kahawa, Nakuru, Eldoret, among many other military camps, dad ensured he was home and if he skipped any weekend, it was because he intended to take a 3 weeks – 1 month leave so that he could spend more time with us over the school holidays.

Now, that I am grown up, I see and understand the sacrifices. I know that he was passed over promotions because of his absence at work over the weekend or leave days to be with his family. I know that it also took a lot to achieve all that and I am grateful that dad was willing to go all that way for me and my brothers.

Anyway, due to dad’s much presence and influence, my confidence has always been 100%+. When I got bullied because of my weight as a teenager, honestly I found it funny because to me, I resembled dad and that was enough, the only difference between us was that he was fit even in that weight LoL maybe no wonder I have never ever been moved by money or forced into something that I didn’t want, when it comes to relationships or intimidated into doing stuff because I need a job or something. I have never really felt stuck in anything else because dad brought me up to know that I could go for anything that I put my mind to. My identity has always been solid.

My dad, till to date, is very involved in my life. If I have a ‘bad day’ at work or if I need to make a decision, he is still my first call. The wisdom is always timely. When I was in campus, I would go somewhere and if I wasn’t even sure of the directions, I would call him and he literally knew everything LoL

Dad;

You are my hero. I know that my brothers and I are looking forward to raising such a strong and close family, like you did. You have always put us first and ensured that we were set on the plane of success. Thank you for ensuring that I attended Sunday School which was very significant. My walk of faith has now graduated to even something more beautiful. I will be eternally grateful.

Dad, your path is as the ever-shining light that shines brighter and brighter till the perfect day. You enjoy divine health always. The Lord satisfies you with long life. I hear life begins at 60s hahaha dad keep shining as you explore even new business ventures and serve in church. I promise to make you proud always and register unprecedented and extraordinary results always.

Today we celebrate an enigma of strength and the embodiment of wisdom. You are our hero and the best dad we could ever ask for. Thank you for being the best! You’re a shining light and we’re grateful to God for his life at work in you and in your family! Thank you for your unwavering partnership and commitment to the vision of our Lord! You’re exalted and you’re the best! Cheers!

We all love you dad.

With love,

Your Daughter,

Nexcellent.

To my brothers; Chris, John and Mwenda; who are now also dads, Happy Father’s Day. I love you all so much and I know my nieces and nephews are in good hands! This is the set time for God to favour you. You are blessed and increased in all aspects!

To all the fathers in the world, may God bless you and increase you. May you continue to model strength in humility for your kids and may your parenting be influenced by the Word of God ALWAYS!!