Tribute To Edwin Borbor Zelee

Uncle Borbor, you were a true hero; my role model. You made sure your polio-stricken nephew looks at life without limitation. You encouraged me and told me that no disability can stop a person from doing anything once there’s courage and determination. Playing football and basketball at a younger age. You were a father figure who guided me with wisdom and strength but also respected my individuality.

BY ABRAHAM KAYDEA, FAVORITE NEPHEW.

Uncle, if you see my father, please tell him things are not easy here; but with the virtues both of you inculcated into me, I will make sure life is livable, and things get easy. Also, thank him for making and leaving good friends here. His friends, especially ST, and uncle Due, always got my back. Tell Alex, Veronica misses him so much. Tell my aunt, Margrat she got a grandchild that Bernice has taken from all of us, but tell her that I will harass her grandchild like the way she likes to harass our kids. Please tell my aunt Rebecca, Bernice talks about her all the time with a smile. She says you should tell her not to worry because she has Lamuel and Kulee back.

Uncle, the void left by your passing is immense, and the wound created by your departure will take so long to heal.

To my cousins and all your beautiful children, I say sorry not for uncle leaving us, but sorry for you not enjoying him like the way I did. He was a man that I admire. He was a man that went to my school when I was a kid in Liberia, to confront the teachers who ever dared step on my toes. I wanted to be like him. I know Koffi, Joey and Patrick are smiling at my comments but let’s be clear, not like the uncle who was just sitting at Thinkers Village his last few years; who did not want to travel the world and eat gourmet food.

Uncle, you leave us in a Liberia struggling with a court system that sees tribe and religion. But you never did. You opened your arms to everyone – the plumber, the carpenter, and anyone in need. I remember when people asked you to run for Senator of Grand Gedeh County. Cousin George Dweah once called me and said I should tell you to bring your Congo friends to Grand Gedeh to register and vote for you. Your response was simple and powerful:
“Tell him I don’t limit my friends to tribes.”
That was the kind of man you were. honest, open, and full of compassion.

To the children again, I say sorry. To parents living in Liberia who maintain strong relationships with their children abroad, I admire you. please keep building those bridges. And to parents like me, whose relationships with children in the U.S. are not perfect, let us not give up. Let us keep pushing.

Aunt Lucy, our civilized uncle’s wife, thank you for always supporting Uncle Borbor, whether his ideas were good or bad. You stood by him faithfully, always saying, “That’s Borbor.”

Thank you, Uncle, for everything. Please go and rest. You have played your role. You have set the pace. Whatever you could not finish here, we will do our best to continue. Sleep on, Uncle.

Your greatest desire was for a beautiful Liberia. Please ask God to grant our nation wisdom, especially in reforming our justice system. The court is the last place of hope for humanity. We need a system that is fair, transparent, and respectful of all people, regardless of tribe, religion, or status. Our courts should be like you- blind to tribe, blind to religion, and full of integrity.

Liberia needs judges and justices who love truth, seek truth, and live truth. A justice system compromised by tribe, religion, or politics cannot move a nation forward. Selection of judges must be based on integrity and honesty; not party affiliation.

Uncle, when you see God, please ask Him to help Liberia in this direction. We are suffering at the hands of those meant to protect peace and dignity.

Rest well, Uncle.