To my son,

I’m currently writing this as you are few weeks old, blissfully asleep. You don’t know your name yet, but soon you will. Knowing and understanding your name is important culturally and spiritually. You are being called by your purpose and gifts. It distinguishes you from others, it’s a prayer of hope. It’s your family tree and identity. Some might make fun of your name; you might not even like it. My prayer is that you see and understand the importance and responsibility it carries. So, here’s the explanation:

• Aniga (Ahh-knee-guh): origins from the Acholi people and Lou tribe. Eastern Nilotic peoples, warriors and hunters. From your father’s clan. This name is rare, given to your father by his grandfather as a blessing, skipping all other grandsons. Only naming your father. Culturally that’s an honor. Aniga means chosen. God chose you to be our son. One day I hope you know in your heart you are chosen and loved. Your father wanted to give you that name for reasons beyond explanation. As we prayed about it. It felt right.

• August- Yes, like the month. That month is bittersweet for me. It’s the month I knew I loved your father. Also the month I experienced the greatest loss one can experience. The month your grandmother Linda died. The reason I chose that name for you is not only the personal emotions I experienced in that month but its meaning. August means great. In life you will have great joy and sadness. I cannot protect you from these, but I can help guide you through them. As your mother I hope and pray great things for you. Another reason your parents picked this name is because of your nickname- Auggie. I met your father through a friend and we call him Aussie. Your dad calls him Auggie. In the Acholi culture when you want to honor someone you name your kid after them. We picked his nick name.

• True- Yes, like virtue. This is one family name from your grandmother Linda’s side of the family. I promised her I would use this name. I fulfilled my promise and I pray that truth is something you strive for. I pray you are a man of integrity and honesty. May God mark your life with the truth of his word. Your middle name is the leading to all my prayers for you. May you seek truth, may you know truth and may to be true.

• Moro- origins East Africa, Uganda the Moro Mountain in your grandfathers Village. In the Ugandan culture no one has last names. You have your tribe’s name and English name. Your dad has two tribe names given to him from your grandfather. Moro is the one that marks a location, ties to family roots. In America we have last names. They represent family roots and linage. When your dad was filling out papers to come to America, we decided to honor your grandfather’s clan by picking Moro as a last name. You are literally starting a family legacy by being a Moro. You will begin the family tree of Moro for many generations. Your dad was the pioneer immigrant to establish it; it is your responsibility to carry it on-Lord willing (no pressure). One important note- I haven’t changed my name to Moro yet because the government was shut down when I made an appointment and I never went back. I’m working on it.

My sweet Auggie, may this explanation give you hope and understanding. As parents we were very intentional about naming you. May you be a proud Ugandan American, embracing all the complexities that make you, you. People will notice your name just as fast as they will notice your looks. You might not like it but it’s the reality of society. Know that you are Chosen, just like your name. Be blessed and live it out- Angia August Ture Moro.

Love -Mom and Dad.