when I heard she had passed away, I decided in less than a split second I was going. lorenzo and I decided to hit the road. on this trip I would meet for the first time (in person anyway) Hassan and his wife Renee. he was the one who told me of her transition. we both were compelled to make this journey…us from Mississippi…them from las Vegas. this journey was about saying goodbye properly to a friend….my sister. we both know Nikki would have done the same for us.
on the way down, I contemplated how it would be saying goodbye to someone so beautiful, sharp and strong at such a young age. when I was younger, 38 seemed to be an entire lifetime. now I know that it’s usually only a fraction of the time we spend on the planet…living our lives either very well or not so well at all. for Nikki, that’s all she had. you really don’t think about your mortality until someone else’s is stripped away.
I must say nikki’s celebration was one of tears, praise and stories of an extraordinary woman. in those hours, I got more of a glimpse into Nikki…from a cousin…best friend…her brother aswad (of who she spoke of frequently with such love and admiration)…and many other friends and family. they all shared their love of Nikki for them and vice versa.
afterwards, Hassan, Renee, Lorenzo and myself trekked over to soul vegetarian to break bread. we shared our own stories of Nikki…what she meant to us and so many others…countless others she affected through her written words.
i called Nikki a portal yesterday. and that’s exactly what she was to so many people. she was the point of origin for some many relationships, between herself and others. we truly care for one another, even if you’ve never laid physical eyes upon one another.
if I hadn’t started blogging, I would have never connected with Nikki, Hassan or any other blogger. Nikki and i discovered that we weren’t so very different. it was a kinship that i will honor and treasure until i transition from this planet. Nikki’s untimely transition to become an honored ancestor bought together two couples who may have never even met. for that I am always grateful.
i am inspired to continue the connection.
