I woke up this morning with a very heavy heart. A family friend, my Mother’s best friend’s younger sister, Claire passed away last night. As I try to think of the words to say to Mrs. Sophie to express to her how deeply sorry I am that she and her family lost Claire at such a young age and to cancer, I keep thinking of what and who Claire has always been to me and it just makes me cry over and over again and remember LIFE ISN’T FAIR.
My Mom and Mrs. Sophie have been best friends for as long as I can remember and it is even more impressive because they haven’t lived in the same city or state in over 20 years. But they are cut from the same cloth. They are hard-working, loyal, older sister, type A, nurturing, loving, conservative, dedicated women who have depended on each other and supported each other for several decades. It is an inspiring and special example of friendship. Because of their closeness, I feel as if I share a bond with their family even without having spent much “real-time” with them.
Mrs. Sophie’s daughter Adrienne and I had plans to move to New York together! Before I convinced Amie to move with me and Tawna jumped on board, it was Adrienne and I who were to take on New York together… and then September 11th happened and Adrienne said hell to the NO to New York. Understandably, of course. But nothing was stopping me from moving to New York. And of course I had always heard of Claire, Mrs. Sophie’s younger sister who was doing the damn thing in New York.
Claire was living the “Sex and the City” in real life. She was rocking and rolling in fashion PR and just all around fabulous. I remember the first time I met her when visiting New York. I soo wish I could remember the name of the restaurant, not that it would still be there considering the new New York but I remember it was small, cute and in the West Village. I remember chatting with Claire while studying the menu, learning that salads do in fact come with several different lettuce options.
A starry-eyed, bushy-tailed college senior, I was thrilled to be in that restaurant, sharing my hopes and dreams and plans with Claire. New Yorkers know… you have the people who try to be cool walking around everywhere and then you just have those people who exude something that just lets you know they are special. That was Claire. After meeting with her, my Mom told me she gave me the stamp of approval, saying I had New York written all over me and I would make it here. (Sidenote: Claire and Mrs. Sophie are part of a big family, originally from New Mexico where most of the family still resides. I’m from a big family in Louisiana… just to further explain the connection.)
That was 2002 and to this day, I have held it close to me. I mean, she could have said it to be nice to my Mom in attempting to ease her mind about her daughter moving to New York or she could have seen and recognized what I had known since I was 12 years old. Either way, it was the utmost compliment to me. Miss New York saw New York in me… everything was going to be alright!
We moved to New York, in our 6th floor East Village walk up not far from Claire’s Greenwich Village studio. Of course she lived in Greenwich Village… I mean why wouldn’t she?!! And the apartment, guys… the apartment was just simply amazing but the thing was even without knowing what a “Claire Apartment” would be, it was totally a Claire apartment. It was chic, it was open and somehow she managed to have a WALK IN closet in a STUDIO; a closet she would later turn into a nursery for her daughter. (Seriously, only in New York, kids, only in New York!)
In a game of word association, I associate Claire and fearless. She has always been an example of a person who did what she wanted, when she wanted and how she wanted regardless of what the norm dictated. She created her own path, sometimes where there were no roads, often times, chopping down trees and making her own way. This, of course is how I have seen Claire through updates from my Mom over the years. Pretty much any Claire update would be followed with a “Of course she is.” And to me… that is just awesome.
I was sure she was going to add Cancer Survivor to her long list of awesomeness. I mean, why wouldn’t she?! Cancer wasn’t going to win the battle. But I was wrong. What feels like absolutely no time at all, she lost her battle last night. On the day I started the infamous kitchen makeover (March 1st), my Mom called me. I sent her a text “Deep in this project, will call you when I have a sec.” She responded “Mrs. Sophie just called, Claire has stage 4 ovarian cancer.” I responded “Omg.”
Paint brush in one hand, phone in the other, I sat on the floor and started crying. I called my Mom and we talked. Around Christmas, Claire wasn’t feeling well. She went to the doctor after spending the holidays in New Mexico. Nothing was found, more doctors, more tests. By the end of February, they found the answer. She had stage 4 ovarian cancer and they were going to operate. By mid-week, the news was that the cancer had already spread to her pancreas and liver. The tumors were too big to operate so she would begin chemotherapy. And last night, April 19th, she passed away.
I can’t describe this other than simply stunning. 8 weeks ago, she was leading a NORMAL life. Fearlessly raising Stazzy and Cash in the heart of Park Slope, daily yoga, clean eating, party planning and living! And today, she is no longer with us. I am just so shocked and mad at cancer and modern medicine. But that’s a post for another day.
Claire was an inspiration to me. Her stories have always served as a reminder to me, through success, joy and struggle, she continued to make a way, making it all happen, recreating and writing the next chapter. And with Claire, it was always a page turner! I am so incredibly sad that two sweet young kids are without a Mother on this Easter Sunday; stunned that the Fearless One couldn’t win this battle. Confused as to why life always has to be so damn hard and difficult.
Claire was surrounded by so many friends the last few weeks. As her family made their way to New York, tag teaming responsibilities, the community she created and was immersed was clear to all of them. She was a good friend, a caring, loving person and it all came back ten fold in her time of need. And now her family needs us to keep them in our prayers as they prepare for the next chapter.
On this Easter Sunday, with a heavy and reflective heart, I have Mrs. Sophie, Stazzy, Cassius, the Block family and everyone Claire has touched over the years in my thoughts and prayers. I ask that you keep them in your prayers today. On a day when so many are celebrating and rejoicing, please remember to appreciate your family and friends. Be Kind.
Rest in Peace Clarissa Block. I will miss the Claire updates. May you be fearlessly and fabulously running things in Heaven.
xoxo – Kellie
