Whereas my brother Eddie referred to Uncle Veelin as “Hsia”, i have always called him “Little Uncle” because that was how my mother told me to call him when i first met him around the age of 8 or 9 in Hong Kong. He just returned from England. I became immensely fond of my Little Uncle right away. He was such a cool person and loved having a cold beer or two while my mother served dinner.  I looked forward to those nights my Little Uncle coming to tutor my brother and stayed for dinner.  This went on for many months and maybe a year or more.

I remember Little Uncle taking Eddie and me out for dinner at my favorite restaurant Loren just outside Happy Valley. That was when Eddie ordered a pan pizza (a novelty in Hong Kong then) for the first time.  I still remember the smell of the sizzling pan pizza coming to the table with the hot bubbling cheese and Eddie was grinning ear to ear while he tore into the pizza. 

I think I only saw my Little Uncle two more times after I left for college in the United States. Once in New York City and once in England.  I regret that I was lousy in keeping in touch and always so wrapped up in my life. I regret that I never told him he was one of a handful of “favorite” people I look up to in my life and I that love him and harbor tremendous respect for him.  He was just such a swell person and a swell Little Uncle.  I hope he is enjoying his favorite drinks and food with Eddie while my mother looks on smiling.  Cheers, Little Uncle!