This is my Cousin Nicole. She is 21 years old, but I have only known her and known OF her for a few months. How you ask? Well, my Aunt (and Godmother) disappeared about 30 years ago leaving behind four children, my cousin's Bill, David, Debbie, and Andrew. We never heard anything from her or about her until late last year. My mother was contacted by an heir search firm regarding an inheritance from a relative who had passed away. To make a long story short, the search firm located my long lost Aunt who sadly had also recently passed away earlier that year. Tragic as all of this is, out of all the saddness emerged joy. It turns out that my Aunt had another child about 10 years after she left. After the shock wore down a bit on everyone, Nicole journeyed back East here from California to meet her new siblings, aunt, and cousins. She brought her mothers ashes with her and the 5 children fittingly scattered them over the ocean together in what must have been a very poignant moment for them.
Since then, Nicole has done a great job keeping in touch with all of us. I personally keep in touch with her via email and instant messenger and I hope to get back out to California again soon to visit her. I truly feel lucky to know Nicole and look forward to learning more about her We have a lot of catching up to do!! |
