This writer has no qualms admitting to have been emotionally impacted attending the opening at the Bermuda Society of Arts Gallery of the ‘One Love’ exhibition honouring celebrated photographer and photo-journalist Tamell Simons.First of all there was the tremendous turnout of persons from all walks of life, many openly voicing their ‘gone to soon” lament over his death at age 47. And a greater number certain he will yet live on both through his work and the magnetism of the “one love” philosphy universally he practised.Tamell and I had a special relationship. He asked me to be writer of the Introduction to ‘Date With Destiny’, to put words to his photogaphic history of the General Elecion of November 9, 1998. That was the date the Bermuda Progressive Party, in a landslide general election victory, assumed for the first time the government of Bermuda.The election swept from office the powerful United Bermuda Party and effectively brought to an end more than 300 years of minority white domination of the predominantly black island of Bermuda.The euphoria that swept the country and the ecstacy of the thousands who helped bring it about what was instantly hailed as “A New Day in Bermuda”. Dame Jennifer Smith, who became Premier, in her Foreword to ‘Date With Destiny’ unreservedly lauded Tamell, as she put it, for his glorious momento, his brilliant, powerful and emotive images, his truly invaluable contribution to Bermuda life and history.“Date With Destiny” is considered Tamell’s geatest work, his ‘magnum opus.’ In my tribute to him, recorded in the book, I noted how I felt he instinctively knew he was recording history for generations to come; and the responsibility he felt to be accurate and honest, capturing for posterity the poignant euphoria that shaped the making of the New Bermuda in a his photographic history that speaks volumes.Director of the National Gallery, Ms Lesley Rego was the one who conceived the idea of a an exhibition to honour Tammel’s life work, And she, Royal Gazette Editor, Bill Zuill, working in close collaboration with her, made it happen.The show also had the support of Tamell’s fellow photographers at the Gazette, including David Skinner, Mark Tatem, Akil Simmons and Glen Tucker. As a result a vast range of photographs, many showing Tamell in action and colourful images among others he captured over the years, are on exhibition for the next fortnight, accompanied by many others from the Island’s many talented photographers.Among the many persons I intercepted, or vice versa, at the opening were Tamell’s parents, his mother, Marcille Lewis and Theo (T) Saunders.In ‘Date with Destiny Tamell signally acknowledged his parents, as follows: “I owe a tremendous debt to my family, especially to my mother Marcille Lewis and father Theophilus Saunders who instilled in me from an early age the drive to achieve goals. My father was instrumental in my choosing photography as a career in our outings together. He would always bring a camera and take pictures which (he stated) still hold cherished memories. And to my grandmother, Frances Bristol, I owe a huge debt for nurturing me and teaching me humility, patience and the importance of understanding one’s fellow man.”