06/10/2026
After World War II, my grandparents and their siblings settled in Brooklyn, where they ran the Bonacore Bakery and raised their families together under one roof. Bonnie and my mother grew up more like sisters than cousins.
As the years passed and families spread out, Bonnie remained the constant. She was the connector—the one who knew how everyone was related, shared family stories, and brought people together. She made everyone feel welcome, cared for, and loved.
Bonnie has always been more than a cousin to me. She has been a steady presence in my life, someone who shows up for others and makes each person feel special.
Recently, Bonnie lost her husband of 62 years. She is also navigating life with dementia.
Over the past few months, I’ve spent weekends with her, often looking through photographs together. Her home is filled with images of family and friends collected over a lifetime. Sometimes she recognizes everyone in them. Sometimes she doesn’t. But the comfort and connection remain.
Bonnie was once the keeper of our family history. She could look at any photograph and tell you who everyone was and how they fit into the larger story of our family. Sitting beside her now, I’ve come to appreciate how powerful those photographs can be.
Soon, Bonnie will be moving to Florida and beginning a new chapter. Wanting her to have something familiar to take with her, I created a photo book for her 82nd birthday.
I photographed her surrounded by the people who love her most and included names alongside each image—small reminders to help connect faces with the people who care about her. I chose a small book she could easily hold, carry, and keep close.
One day while we were out for a walk, a young boy from the neighborhood spotted Bonnie, jumped off his bike, and ran over to hug her. It was a simple moment, but it captured exactly who she is—a person who leaves people feeling loved.
That is what I hoped this photo book would preserve.
Because photographs are more than images. They are connection, memory, and love. And sometimes, they help us find our way back to the people who matter most.
