“Cousins First” captures the innocence of childhood, three cousins standing together in their swimwear, surrounded by the simplicity of summer days and shared memories. It reflects a time when life felt easy, where joy was found in being present, outside, together.

Beneath that nostalgia is a deeper, more personal story. The cousin in the red shorts represents not only family, but also a close friend, Kevin “KB” Braswell, whose life and journey left a lasting impact. KB rose to become an elite basketball player at Georgetown University and went on to play professionally, later transitioning into coaching at the international level. His recent passing adds weight to this moment, transforming it from memory into tribute.

The title, “Cousins First,” flips a familiar phrase. While we often say “first cousins,” this piece emphasizes something deeper, that before anything else, before titles, distance, or time, there is family.

This piece lives in the Trauma section because it reflects how loss reshapes memory. What once felt like a simple moment now carries the weight of absence, love, and remembrance.

“Cousins First” is a reminder that no matter where life takes us, and no matter what we lose along the way, those bonds remain. Family, first.