Most families have traditions.  In the Abator & E.B. Williams family, in which Uncle Val was the first "adopted" son, there were numerous traditions.  A major one was to celebrate the new year. Every New Year's Eve, all the cousins would congregate in and around Granny Abator's house, Aunty Belmont's house, and the Nylanders' house, to ring in the new year with fireworks, prayers, and sometimes dancing.  On New Year's Day, we would make our way to the beach at Sussex and spend the entire day there.  The cousins would wear similarly styled outfits custom-made by Aunty Aro's tailor, and Uncle Val would be wearing his green and white Bermuda shirt, complete with palm trees.  Every year.  Without fail.

Another one of our traditions was to celebrate the Muslim holidays.  Such was life in Sierra Leone when were were growing up - Muslims and Christians alike celebrated all the religious holidays in some fashion.  On the eve of the day marking the end of Ramaddan, we would invariably spend the night at the Nylanders' or at Granny's or Aunty Belmont's house nearby.  The following morning, on "pray day", Uncle Val would give us (usually my sister Nadine, Velda, and I) a generous amount of brand new bills to distribute as we saw fit, to people who were celebrating the holiday.  

Uncle Val was very proud of his 1976 caramel-colored Mercedez-Benz.  He reserved it only for weekends - he kept it in immaculate condition - I still remember the smell of the leather seats.  No other car shone quite like it in all of Freetown.  He was a very, shall we say, deliberate, driver as he negotiated the sometimes unpredictable streets of Freetown in it.  On Saturday evenings, he would take us "for drive", which invariably meant going to visit his parents, Granny Baby and Grandad.  It was a treat to ride in the "Benz". 

Uncle Val was very caring and always went the extra mile for his family, close and extended.  One year, a friend of Velda's wanted to celebrate her birthday by having a small party at school.  Her family did not have a car, and public transport with all that food would have been a mini disaster.  So Uncle Val negotiated crowded streets, traders, and trucks in the Benz, to help a 17-year-old get jollof rice to school to celebrate her birthday with friends.  And back at the end of the school day.  And all because it was important to Velda.

As for me, I will always remember his concern for my well being.  He was particularly concerned about how the weather would affect my asthma when I was leaving home for England, and reminded me on more than one occasion to make sure I found a doctor to help me take care of it.  

My dear Uncle Val, your passing leaves a void that will never be filled.  We, left behind, mourn very deeply, but take comfort in knowing that you are now comfortable, as you rest in the loving arms of God.  I will always remember your kindness, love, and legacy, and commit to passing them on to others.