I am stepping out of the kitchen today
to share a little bit of my
personal life with y’all.
While Cooking/Baking is a
large part of my life, it is
also just a “part”.
I am also a Sister, Mother and Wife.
Each of those title’s I hold dear.
So today I wanted to share a little
bit of my “Sister” role.
This will be a bit lengthy…bare with me.
I am the 5th child out of 7.
Yes, I did like growing up in a
big family….most of the time (lol)
One of the BEST things in
MY life, is having my little Sister
Niki in my life. She is a TRUE ANGEL.
Niki has a very rare mental retardation~
Microsipholic.
In “lame man” terms her brain never grew.
However the size of her heart
is the largest I have ever seen.
 |
| The Sister’s & Our Mom Niki on the left. Always wanting everyone to be happy.Niki is so easy to please. Growing up |
in a large family we would “draw” names
for Christmas. EVERYONE wanted
to draw Niki’s Name. It didn’t matter
to her if the gift you bought her was
worth a penny or a hundred dollars.
She was happy with whatever she
received.
While we were growing up my Mom was a
Tap Dance teacher….we ALL tapped!
(yup even the 3 Boys)
Dancing is Niki’s LOVE!
Her Memory is amazing! She can still
remember all the steps and music to
every dance she was ever taught.
She didn’t have many friends in school,
because she was “different”.
In fact there were many a times
I was called to the Principle’s Office
because I “took care” of the kids who
would pick on her. I never understood
(and still don’t) why others choose to
pick on someone “different”. It would break
my heart, to see her try to befriend kids
and have them laugh at her.
There were a FEW kids in her class that
didn’t “see” her as handicapped.
They are forever in my heart!
Juan, Melinda and Mirinda~ THANK YOU!!
Niki loves to get the whole family together,
for Holidays or any time for that matter.
You can always expect Niki to be sitting
on the couch looking out the window
waiting for each one of us to come home.
Funny thing is….once you are there,
she greets you with a hug and a smile.
Then quickly asks where “Tana” is?
(Or whom ever is still not accounted for)
It is a family thought, that when the time
comes for each of us to leave this life,
Niki will be there in heaven
waiting for each of us to come “home”.
Making sure we all show!
And NO ONE wants to let Niki down,
so you can make sure we all are
doing our best to make sure to live
our lives with the utmost value’s.
 |
| Niki and her Service Dog Sugar |
Niki is one of my biggest fan’s.
She asks me when my next marathon is
and how far I have to run.
Then says “oh..that’s to far!”
Not before she tells me “YOU CAN DO IT!”
She is one of the most unselfish
person’s I have ever know.
Niki has been very sick for the
past 3 months. It is so hard to watch
her go through this. Yet she is doing
so with her strong faith in a Heavenly
Father that loves her.
Niki has always told anyone who
asks her who her Best Friend is
“Jesus” is always her answer.
(even when I bribe her to say it’s me..lol)
With all the craziness in the world
today, busy lives, trials we all face,
I wanted to share with you
my Little Sister Niki’s undying
LOVE OF LIFE.
She is the example of
Unconditional Love
~I LOVE You Niki~
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Lark, thank you so much for sharing Niki with us, what a wonderful woman she is, and how lucky she is to have you for a sister. I’m praying for Niki’s health. God bless you both,
Shannon
Oh my darling Lark!! Your story brought tears to my eyes! I used to volunteer at a Mental Health Institution in Reno, NV when I was very young (around 13)I feel in love with the children that called it home. They don’t try to be anything but themselves and give love so unconditionally. The world could take a lesson from the people that many want to look down on for being different. They are some of the strongest and kindest people I know!!!
What a special bond you have with your sister. She sounds absolutely wonderful. You and Niki are both blessed to have each other.
Thank you for sharing your Sister with us! We will keep you all in prayer. Working in education for many years, I know how sweet and wonderful people like Nikki are to everyone and what a blessing they are to their families too! Much love!! xoxox ~ Sara
What a sweet angel she is and you for being by her side. My eyes are full of tears and my heart is aching for this special angel. I believe that God puts these wonderful people in our lives to make us complete. Sending my love and hugs to you and Niki, Thank you so much for sharing a little of your world with us.
What a beautiful story….and it is very dear to my heart. I have a niece and had a nephew with “mental retardation”. My niece who had Down’s syndrome, although bull headed and stubborn is a joy to everyone that meets her life… She brings love and sunshine to everything. My nephew who had a non communicating brain and hydrocephalus, may have never known our names but he knew each one of us in his own way and was able to identify us… by a word we said or part of a song we sang. He passed away 4 years ago and is still giving joy to others as an organ donor as he gave joy to his parents, brother and all his family while he was alive.
Your sister is a blessing given by God and is precious. Thanks for bringing her joy into our lives and making us stop a moment and remember what is important!
Lark, thank you so much for sharing this. Niki seems like such a sweetheart. Not only are you lucky to have such a special sister, but she is so lucky to have you, too.
Lot’s of love, Holly 🙂
Debi, Thank you! Tears are in my eyes as well when i read these heartfelt comments!
My eyes are full of tears. Tears of the love Niki has for God, for family, for life itself. You and your family are blessed to have such a wonderful, unselfish sister in your life. I’m feel blessed to know Niki through you. I’m continuing to pray for God’s blessings and healing sent to Niki. Please give <3 and hugs from me dear, sweet friend. Love you.
I am so touched! You all have shown me that there are others who feel the same way about the Lord’s Special Angels. Thank you for taking the time to learn more about a very special person in MY life. (((hugs)))
I am teary eyed right now reading this. Yes, Niki is “special” but her journey on earth has taught many valuable lessons to many people. I hope she is able to recover from this illness. I will be saying prayers for her. Thank you for sharing Niki’s story. xo
My gosh Lark, the tears are just flowing…what a true angel on earth your sister is and you as well. This touched me to my soul. I will pray hard for Nikki, I am sorry she is sick, let me know if I can do anything to cheer her up. Sophia said she will draw her a picture and send it to her! We love you and thank you for sharing this with us. Your heart is so good and you are so special. Love, Trish
Lark,
What a beautiful window inside your heart and your family. Nikki is the sweetest person, and she is so well loved by you and your family. We will be praying for her for sure. Let us know if there is anything we can do. We are here and would be willing to help in any way. Nikki is the face of TRUE Love!
Thanks for sharing,
Anna
Oh Larky – what a sweet sweet story…and a sweet sister! I am so thankful you shared that big piece of your heart with us. I know you are very close to Niki and I’m thrilled to get to know her better too. No doubt, she feels VERY loved by her wonderful family. Continuing to pray for dear Niki..God bless you all! XO
Thank you Jane! You dont know how much that means to me! (((hugs)))
Lark, Niki is such a sweet heart! What a great family you have! I hope she gets well soon! Sending Niki prayers from afar! 🙂
HUGS,
Jane