Lio Brown
I grew up with Uncle Lei coming to our house to do minor repairs like the toilet or a broken light or just hang out with mum and dad. Uncle is soft spoken. He is just a gentle kind man. I got to know Phillip but I was quite younger than him so unfortunately I didn't really get to know Phillip that well. I knew Uncle's wife Elsa who is a seamstress. She did the dresses and shirts for our wedding line. My parents would often have them both over for a visit. Usually with taro, palusami, or koko samoa, with French bread......you know the good stuff.
My favorite memory of Uncle is when I was a little kid, he'd come over with all his tools. Just a whole bunch of cool tools. A huge torch, screw drivers, hammers, a flint starter for a small flame thrower that he had was my favourite tool. Anyways I'd come watch him do his repairs and I was just curious and I'd play around with the toys pretending I was fixing things. He never got upset with me. Never raised his voice at me. He just let me be a kid. I always enjoyed his company even though he was the adult and I was just a kid. I just felt like I was one of his own growing up. Lol.
My dad loves Uncle Lei so much. Dad was himself seeking uncle. Laughing and joking. I never knew what they were saying but I knew my parents were happy when Uncle Lei and Aunty Elsa were around.
I've missed you heaps Uncle. Wish we were there to pay our last respects. I guess this will have to do. Travel well Uncle. I will always carry these thoughts of you close to my heart.
Love always from the Brown's down under.