Editorial
It seems so unlikely that we’d all be here today in this moment, for this occasion,
but when we think about Nelson’s life unlikely seems to be a theme; a baby immigrating from Cabo Verde Nelson grew to be a bright-eyed and humorous teen
who captured our hearts and touched all our souls. He was a loving family man
who would set aside his own commitments to serve his brothers and sisters, who
was first in line to drive someone to and from Logan airport, babysitting his many
nieces and nephews and later moving us in and out of URI. Nelson was an endearing Son to his mother; he could joke and make Mamalice laugh like no one else.
Nelson was a loyal friend who never judged you, gossiped, or criticized you for the
way you chose to live your life because he was so filled with joy and happiness.
But what I admired most about Nelson was his ability to reinvent himself; from his
youth working at the Laundromat driving for Mr. Griffin, to a skilled barber as a
young man, to the man behind the camera, the genius behind HotinRI. His charm
and smile could get the toughest gangsta to the feeble soul to smile and give him
your best.
Oh Niche, forgive me for calling you that in public, our baby, our beloved brother
you were many things but most of all believed in loyalty and respect, especially
of your elders. In his memory I ask you all not to cry, to Yikadee when you think
about him, laugh at the memories. Mothers work less and take care of your kids,
Fathers stand up tall and raise your sons and daughters to be good young men and
women and be positive change in our communities and be good to each other.
God Bless.
Written by: Elsa L. Tavares