Monday, October 14, 2013
Stephanie was my first cousin. She was one month younger than me. When we first met in person at 8 years old, it wasn't under the best circumstances because her mother was dying. We were very young and didn't have a full understanding of what was happening. I was basically brought to New York by my parents to distract Stephanie while this process was going on. Stephanie's mother, Anna, had nine siblings, my mother Elizabeth was one of them. My uncle, Tommy (Anna's brother) owned a bar in Brooklyn called The Unicorn. On one evening Stephanie and I went with him to his bar. He asked us if we would like to entertain the folks at the bar. We were thrilled and were cheered on by all the adults. We sat on stools and the light shone on just Steph and I. We sang The Unicorn song by the Irish Rovers, I think to this day it is a favorite children's song! On another day my Aunt Bernadette took Stephanie and I to the beach. There were a lot of people there that day and Bernadette was paying close attention to Stephanie because of the ordeal she was about to go through, the death of her mother. I somehow lost where Bernadette and Stephanie were in the sea of people on the beach, so I remembered what my mother had told me, if you ever get lost, find a policeman and he will take care of you. So that's what I did. Bernadette found me in the police station and we headed back to the apartment. Sadly, we were met at the door by Stephanie's dad, Sean and he gave Bernadette the bad news that Anna had passed away. When Stephanie got a grasp of what really just happened she was inconsolable. I can still hear her cries from that day! When Stephanie was finally able to calm down, we were both looking at the last piece of a banana cake that was left on the table. I said I didn't want it so Stephanie could have it, but I never told her, I really wanted it! So in closing my dearest cousin, Stephanie, I'll always remember us singing; There were green alligators and long necked geese. Some humpy-back camels and some chimpanzees. Some cats and rats and elephants, as sure as your born. And the loveliest of them all was the unicorn. I will miss you, Stephanie, but I know you are in a better place. Love always, Carin