My Uncle Simeon died earlier this month and his death has made me reflect on joyful parts of my childhood. I was privileged to grow up with more uncles than I have fingers to count. I treasure each of them as they have enriched my life in some way. When I think about my uncle who died this month, I remember all the ways he and two of my other uncles (Uncle Al and Uncle Wendell) who have gone to their Heavenly reward made me feel: special, prized and cherished.

My Uncle Al always called me “baby.” He would ask, “How are you doing baby?” He was funny, calm and full of wisdom. I recall feeling distress over a revelation – something that rattled me and he prayed with me. Turning to God was the redirection I needed to calm my nerves. He was cool too – he rode a motorcycle and enjoyed cross country travel and being in nature. My Uncle Wendell was a creative. God gave him a gift with words and he could create a poem extemporaneously. I remember he recited a poem on black history month on the spot. I was amazed by his talent and wit. He always told me I was beautiful and intelligent. Words I’d often hear from Uncle Simeon.

My Uncle Simeon “gassed” me up (hyped me up) every time I saw him. From the time I was a toddler, maybe younger, he always told me I am beautiful and smart. That continued into my adulthood. He would playfully call my sister and me “America’s Top Models”. When I would visit growing up, he’d say “Give me some sugar.” And I’d give him a kiss. It’s a phrase I sometimes use with my daughter now and it feels like I am giving her a sweet piece of my childhood (pun intended).

My uncle was fun, loving, disciplined but not mean. My aunt and uncle had a pool table in their garage. I didn’t know how to play pool but I had fun pretending and messing with the table. My hand got stuck in the ball catch once and my Uncle Simeon came to get it out. I was crying, scared and a little embarrassed. He didn’t lecture me – instead he calmly freed my hand and told me to go play. He was a family man – now here is a time he did lecture me – and made sure his family knew to prioritize the people who matter most in life. When I was in high school, I was playing in a basketball spring league. The last game of the league coincided with day two of a family reunion. I had my parents’ permission to miss that day of the reunion since I had gone to day one and was going to go to day three. Well, my Uncle Glenn and Uncle Simeon noticed my absence and spoke to me about it separately. They both wanted me to know that family comes before sports. I felt a bit annoyed because I already held family value as it had been modeled to me and in my mind, I had a good reason to miss it: it was the final game! Give me a break! However, as an adult, I am grateful that my uncles cared enough to mention it to me. Uncle Simeon was big on family and always spoke at family events to remind us of the importance of family and our responsibilities to one another.

His death makes me grieve for those who loved me as a baby…who made me feel important, safe and treasured. The older I become, the more I appreciate my elders and how they cover me. His death means the last of my uncles who esteemed me have passed from this life to the next. I hope I can give that gift to my children and others so that when they reflect on my life, they know they were special to me.

I wanted to write these words as an homage to my late Uncle Simeon and always to all the fathers and father figures who have inherited their Heavenly reward. Celebrate a dad today – if not your own, then someone else who has esteemed you. To my dad: I love you. Thank you for being the man who loved me first. Happy Father’s Day 2026!