Daughter, Sister, Friend...

We got a great surprise this weekend. Nikki called on Tuesday to say that she was coming to Indy to stay for the weekend. We hadn't seen her since Christmas, so we were very excited about her visit. I have known Nikki since she was in third grade. I was working for the YMCA afterschool program and she was one of my kids (almost 13 years ago). During this time, I developed a life changing friendship with her mom, Jill. Jill was a single mom of two and was active in the air force. While I was in college, Jill started hiring me to stay with her kids while she was out of town for work/play. My friendship with Jill continued to grow over the years as did my relationship with Nikki. They made me feel a part of their family. To say that Jill was an amazing person is an understatement. Strong, devoted, intelligent, fun, witty, are all qualities of Jill's that I know see in Nikki. Jill was first diagnosed with breast cancer. She went through several surgeries and chemo treatments with amazing strength. While the cancer went into remission, it was short lived. The cancer returned and Jill passed away one week before Jake was born. Nikki was just 15. She moved out to Missouri (or as she use to say Misery) to live with her dad. I was upset about this move at first, but she was mature beyond her years and knew what was best for her. ( She finished high school a year early, has a degree in accounting, starting her masters degree this week...and is only 21) My relationship with Nikki is one that I treasure, as I do my time with her. I can talk to her like a sister, stay up at night worrying about her (or lecturing her) like a mother, and help her cross things off of her "bucket list" like a friend. Her relationship with my boys and Chris makes her an important part of my family now. Chris loves and worries about her as much as I do. The boys never forget her in their prayers. Love you Nikki.