THE EDITOR, Sir:
THE PASSING of Mr. Hector Bernard saddens me. To me he was Uncle Hector, a caring, kind, helpful and understanding person. He was a good listener. He always listened to the opinion of others and gave diligent answers to questions asked of him.
He loved kids. He was especially happy when kids were around him and they enjoyed being with him as well. I remember when he and Aunt Gloria hosted my fifth birthday party. I had over 30 friends and we made lots of noise, but he did not complain and he didn't want us to leave. He wanted us to stay as long as we wanted.
Uncle Hector loved to talk to children about school and encouraged them to read and to learn a foreign language. He had hundreds of books in his library, and I remember he often sat by his desk in his office reading, looking so studious and smart. He bought me my first Harry Potter book a few years ago on a trip to New York. I was in Jamaica when he returned.
I will miss Uncle Hector. For me, summers in Jamaica will never be the same. I spent a lot of my 12 years in his company. I will miss his brilliance, his energetic laughter and his kindness. I will miss his explanation of world events to my parents and me as he ate a plate of fruit for breakfast.
I am so glad that I e-mailed him before he passed on and told him that I loved him. If more people were like my Uncle Hector, the world would be a better place.
I am, etc.,
ASHLEY HENRY
St. Thomas Moore Catholic School
Decatur, GA, USA
