Of love and sibling’s voyage in Addis-Singapore-Tokyo
BY OUMAH OTIENOH
“I will swear in love thee infinitely. Hear my soul speak. The very instant that I saw you, did my heart fly to your service.”
Do you recall me quoting these enthralling lines from William Shakespeare’s sonnet late last year?
If you do, I was “madly in love” with the towering belles I’ve taught at Ng’iya Girls who are now scattered all over the world – New York, Austria and Paris. These are trailblazing ladies who broke the glass-ceiling and prospered in diverse careers.
As you devour my musings of a globetrotter, my little brother, Collins Otieno will be certainly airborne on his flight from JKIA-Addis-Singapore-Tokyo.
The overseas flight will take about 48 hours due to layovers in Ethiopia and Singapore.
You can imagine my first thoughts a couple of months ago of getting news that my little brother will be relocating to Tokyo-Japan for work-study related programme.
Tokyo is Japan’s capital and the world’s most populous metropolis. It offers unlimited choice of shopping, entertainment, culture and dining to its visitors.
A curious coincidence, late last year, he flew students to Bangkok, Thailand’s capital known for ornate shrines and vibrant street-life. Mission? A weeklong academic exchange schedule. The uncommon voyage ignited in him the fire to network more.
Dear reader, you couldn’t know how deeply I struggled as the eldest son to jumpstart our family. I’m glad that my siblings are picking my work-ethics in their pursuits.
Even though I’m older, it doesn’t make me wiser. Overtime, you’ve mastered the art of playing with the “big boys” in the corporate world.
You shouldn’t forget how difficult our childhood was. Considering where we’ve come from, you pretty knew that the struggle was inevitable and worked harder to curve your own pathway of success.
Indeed, the journey to achieving success isn’t linear. It’s often characterised by an initial slow start, a period of massive growth and eventually, leveling off as one reaches a plateau.
Your fearlessness and utter determination are two traits I admire most about you. Honestly, you’re a big inspiration to our ageing mum who ensured that we receive quality education against all odds. She’s so proud of you! I believe she appreciates that’s my “recollections” inspire so many people.
If I had hindsight, there’s a lot I’d change about our relationship erasing the bad deeds and replacing with good ones. But alas, time only moves forward.
Because of you, I stand a little taller, talk a little lauder and laugh a little harder. Can you imagine someday, yours truly taking off at the old JKIA-Nairobi enroute to Tokyo-Japan to visit a blood brother?
I can’t wait to pay courtesy calls to automobile industry mega players with state-of-the-art facilities like Toyota, Honda and Nissan.
In the past few weeks, I thought of a special gift and after a legion of suggestions, I settled on this “letter” as my way of appreciating your airlift and my scribblings that have also opened several doors for me.
I just wondered if there’re a few current motifs in celebrating others.
Why am I so obsessed with success of others? Reveling at others achievements is important because it fosters positive relationships, builds a supportive environment and motivates individuals to achieve their own goals. Essentially, it strengthens bonds by showing genuine support and appreciation for some else’s achievements.
Safe travels as you sojourn overseas!
The writer is a Kenyan contributor on literature, art and culture. He is also a travel enthusiast. oumahotienoh2009@yahoo.com