Remembering you with love today, Oct. 30th

Today would have been the 25th year we would be celebrating your birthday and it is special because you would be turning 75 years. A great age of wisdom gathered from social and historical interactions with different peoples in different places and at different times. Times of peace and times of war, where you had been as Swedish diplomatic representative.

You were in Africa on two diplomatic assignments. The first was in Botswana and the second was in Maputo, Mozambique. You sowed seeds of solidarity and goodwill with the Frelimo government in Maputo, with leaders of the African National Congress (ANC), and with other African leaders in Southern Africa. It was not an easy assignment being a diplomat in a newly-liberated Marxist-led country that was not yet healed from the ravages of colonialism. You came home every end of the day carrying a heavy burden from not being able to do enough amidst so much poverty. When we left Mozambique in early 1987, the Swedish development assistance was significantly raised to new levels.

Besides the countries you helped to gain a foothold in Swedish aid and trade, you were even bigger in your personal relations to the small people, like your embassy and household staff. You had a big heart for anyone needing help, your gardener in Manila whose son needed money for school tuition fee; your housekeeper who short-changed you with food money was not fired; Your driver in Maputo who was engaged in same shady deals kept his job; the two wives for your gardener in Maputo were both invited to the employees party; a childless Swedish couple in Manila adopted two Filipino children with your help; an Afghan friend working at the Development Bank of the Philippines finally got his Swedish citizenship because you vouched for him. Your Bosnian assistant-secretary in Mostar moved to the Swedish Embassy in Sarajevo after the end of EU's Administration of Mostar because of your good words. Just a few I remember, but in reality there were many more stories of friendship about people who sought your help.

There's no one in all the places you have been, that was not touched by your friendship, generosity, honesty and sincerity. No one believed you were a Swede because you had great social magnetism. You outshone everyone without being pretentious. You had a great laughter and many stories to tell. You loved best the tale of how you tricked everyone at a ministerial party in Manila by giving Prince Bertil vodka instead of coconut water in a shell. And that in one of Imelda Marcos' famous disco evenings in Malacanang Palace, she did not release you and Hollywood actor George Hamilton until 4 o'clock in the morning. Nor will I ever forget how the Brazilian ambassador complained to you about bruises he got on his chest from dancing with Imelda Marcos' diamond-studded Blue ladies.

Bo Kälfors, today is your 75th birthday. I miss you so much it aches to remember all the things we did in 25 years of travelling together. I remember when you turned 50 in Manila in 1982, when we flew to Palawan Island. You had a helicopter at your service to take us to different islands. So you walked through a row of honour guards with your rolled-up pants and returned the salute. Once inside the plane you burst into a big laughter at how ludicrous you thought you looked.

I will never forget the last words you said when I left you at the hospital in the fateful evening of May 16th, just a few hours before you left so quietly. I told you I was going home and would call you by telephone. I stood by the door and saw you wave at me. You have a smile on your face like always and you said: " I love you!" Your very last words. I knew you did for 25 years, and beyond. I know that even now, in the silence of the forest grave where you lie, the passing wind whispers your last words like a song. Rest in peace, my beloved. You are loved and remembered by many.