Tio Tave

On Saturday, January 10th, we helped my niece and nephew pack up my brother’s apartment. It was an emotional day.

After the packing was done, we decided to go eat lunch at his favorite Puerto Rican restaurant, Latin Flavor. We sat in the dining room where the only other table occupied was a Father and Son.

We sat towards the back, to social distance and there was a photo of Tave. We hear the little boy say “that’s my Tio Tave.” My sisters and I look at one another.

My sister says “Did you know Tave?” in the direction of the table.

The man says “Yes, did you?”

My sister answered “Yes, we are his sisters.”

The man says “Look at my son, he calls him Tio. Tave helped us every year to get him into school.”

Impact.

What an impact he made in the community. We felt his presence and love while we ate. What were the odds that those two people were at the restaurant and the little boy would call out my brother’s name?

We are so blessed to have had an incredible brother.

We miss you, Tio Tave.

Until the next,

EP