Bethpage-Tribune_2004-11-19

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W..A.W-Proudly
Serving the
Community for
Over 43 Years
SERVING BETHPAGE, ISLAND TREES, OLD BETHPAGE, PLAINVIEW, SEAFORD AND PLAINEDGE
VOL. 42 NO. 41 November 19-25, 2004 FORTYCEMTS
A Loss No Words Can Describe
By Linda Mangano
The community of Bethpage
has experienced all too often the
tragedies of young lives lost. Just
a year ago this community came
together to comfort families and
memorialize children who were
taken away from their families in
a tragic auto accident. On
Sunday, November 15, the
community of Bethpage lost more
children much in the same way.
Sho Nakamori, 19, of Bethpage,
was killed in a horrible
automobile accident. I know the
pain that his family is feeling. I
know the hurt and emptiness in
their hearts and I know that there
are no words to comfort them.
No words at all. 1 know this all
too well because the other victim
of that accident was Claudette
Mangano, my niece.
And while no words can
console anyone, there are many
words to describe a girl that 1,
and so many people deeply loved.
Claudette at 15 years old was
wise beyond her years. She was
full of life, spunk and spirit.
When she smiled and laughed
she could fill a room with
warmth and her sense of humor
could make the saddest of souls
laugh. She had this way about
her that just made you like her.
She stood up for what she
believed in with all her might and
she would never back away from
a good argument. That was
Claudie. What you saw was what
you got and believe me with
Claudette you got a lot! She was
caring, emotional, sincere and
thoughtful. Yet, all she really
wanted and asked for in return
was love. She was a caring and
devoted daughter. A daughter
that I know Rob and Theresa, her
parents, were so proud of and
cherished. She was a blessing
that God gave them. She was a
granddaughter that words cannot
describe. From the moment
Claudette entered their lives they
all knew that she was special and
a true gift. To Maria and Natalie,
Claudette was not just a sister.
She was a best friend. Someone
to talk to, have fun with, laugh
with and yes, fight with, but most
importantly, someone who loved
them both more than they will
ever realize. Maria and Natalie
meant the world to Claudette.
And as ajiiece...well she was so
much more than the word niece
could ever describe. She was a
breath of fresh air and a spark of
fire all rolled up into one girl
that quite honestly stole my heart
and so many others.
I have asked my self why over
and over. Losing her is just too
painful and unbelievable to
comprehend. And while we read
about these tragedies all too
often it is so different when that
tragedy finds its way to your
doorstep. The hole in your heart
seems like it is just too deep to
ever repair.
And Claudette and Sho's lives
should not end in vein. While
nothing will bring them back no
matter how hard we pray or how
much we hurt, this community
can not lose any more children to
tragic accidents in our streets.
The faces all of these children,
the images of these lives lost
should forever be implanted into
the minds of everyone who sits
behind the wheel of an
automobile. And while no one
will ever forget how special each
of them were, we have tQ make ,
sure that they are not only
remembered by the lives they led
but by the lives they can save. No
other family should ever be
forced to endure the pain of
losing a child this way. It is a
torture that cannot be described.
To the Nakamori family we
offer our prayers and deepest
sympathy. I pray that they can
find comfort in knowing their son
is in a better place. To Diana
Delio and Leequan Wilson, who
were both injured in this accident
as well as their families, we can
pray for full and quick recoveries
as I am sure this accident will be
so hard for them to recover from
both physically and emotionally.
Our prayers are with you.
And on a totally personal note
I say to Claudette that I hope in
your heart you knew what you
meant to everyone. I hope you
knew that the love we all felt for
you will never ever fade and that
your smile will forever be etched
in our hearts. I hope you realized
how special you were, how
talented you were, how beautiful
you were inside and out and how
empty life will be without you.
While I have asked myself why
over and over again, in my heart
I can only find comfort in
believing that God has a special
plan for you.
Every time I feel the warmth
of the sun, the taste of a
peppericini pepper, the sound of
J a Rule's voice, the pinch of
getting my eyebrows twee zed or
the twinkle of a star in the sky I
will know that you are there. And
1 want you to know that you will
forever be a part of all our lives.
And while you were taken away
from us way too soon, no one can
ever take you away from our
hearts. We always told you how
special you were. God knew it
too, and that is why he gave you
your wings. I love you Claudie
and we will miss you until we can
hold you in our arms again.