In memory of my friend Nikki
Nikki Michelle Espinosa
(July 22, 1974 - October 9, 2006)
One of my dearest friends growing up passed away on Monday, after a battle with a very rare form of cancer. I didn't even know she was sick.
We played the flute together in junior high and high school. I remember many days of goofing around in the marching band practice field...usually when we should have been doing something else. 
I remember lots and lots of slumber parties. She always seemed to overflow the toilet in Kristi Sparks's basement. (I do think it was a problem with the toilet LOL.)
Our first semester of college, Nikki and I were roommates. I had the top bunk; she had the bottom. She let me borrow her car a lot to drive home to see my boyfriend. I remember that her windshield wipers were awful LOLOL!!! We both hated going to school there and both moved back home. At our new school, I'd see her sometimes, but not nearly as often, and that made me sad!
Life took me far away, and we lost touch for several years. I got to see her at our class reunion, and she was the same ol' Nikki. Looked exactly the same.
Nikki was one of the most gentle people I've ever known. She never said a bad word about anyone and never complained about anything. Things had to REALLY STINK in order for her to complain! She was bright and so, so funny! She always used to joke that she was Hispanic and that her name was Nikita Maria Espinosa. (LOL it was SO NOT, and she was Spanish, not Hispanic.) She wasn't one to go along with the crowd if they were being mean to someone either, and that was always so refreshing. She was upbeat and optimistic and was a wonderful, wonderful friend.
I will miss her greatly.
A beautiful tribute. I am so sorry. May she rest in peace.
Blessings,
Faith
Link | October 12th, 2006 at 1:19 pm
Kathy wrote,
Link | October 13th, 2006 at 9:33 pm
Catez wrote,
I’m sory for your loss Keer. This is a beautiful post - and quite real.
Link | October 16th, 2006 at 2:59 am
Amy Holder wrote,
Hi Kirstin
Thank you for all that you said about nikki. I loved her very much. We knew each other since 5th grade and i was so lucky that we never lost touch and just grew closer over the years. We even bought houses just a couple streets from each other and worked at wal-mart together and got to travel together etc… she was a big part of my life and i will miss talking to her and seeing her everyday. it’s very difficult to lose someone who is such a big part of your life. we were so relieved when she got her clean bill of health in august and during her whole sickness and even in her last few weeks, she never complained. not once. it was a shock when she died. it was so quick.
i’ve been so lucky to have such a good group of friends for so many years. as you know, jennifer, lisa, me and abby…we’ve all remained close over the years. we have fond memories of you as well. when we would talk about the old days…you would always come up and we did have fun times with you. i wanted you to know that nikki’s memories as well as all of ours of you are as good as yours are of nikki. thank you so much for posting such a beautiful message. it does my broken heart good.
Link | October 22nd, 2006 at 10:07 pm
TulipGirl wrote,
I’m so sorry.
(It’s hard when people our age are dying. It was a big shocker for me when two of my “mommy-friends” got cancer the same year. I guess part of me still thinks I’m immortal. . . and not in the spiritual sense.)
Link | October 25th, 2006 at 5:36 pm
robb wrote,
kir,
well put about nikki. she was simply a wonderful person. i’m glad a got to know her in high school. she really is all that people have said about her, at her funeral and in tribute. and i’m glad she’s in the arms of Jesus now. it will be good to see her again when this is all over.
love robb
Link | November 20th, 2006 at 12:46 pm