8 February 2013
I wrote about my niece in 2010 a few months before she got married. She's a mommy now, and everyday she inspires me to be a better person, she's the most amazing young woman I know. She's my heart.
Ever since I could remember, I was the only girl, the youngest of 3, and as far as I knew, I was "Daddy's little girl". Then she came along. She had these big blue eyes, a scrunchy face, and her skin was a little blotchy (though my Mom would beg to differ!) She stole everyone's heart at first sight, and after a few days, she even stole mine. I was never around small babies, so she kind of scared me. Would she cry if I held her? What if she didn't like me? What if I held her to tightly? Or not tight enough? I mean I was petrified! So, while I watched everyone else hold her and coo at her, I tried to pay attention to how they did it. Then, Donna said those words I dreaded to hear, "Here Nikkie, hold your niece." That's when my life completely changed. I looked in to those ocean blue eyes, and she looked up at me, I knew, right then and there, this world was blessed with a tiny baby whose soul was larger than life. She didn't hate me, and she didn't cry, I held her perfectly. My fears vanished as if they never existed. Dominique, my niece, was born March 2,1986. She has accomplished so much in 24 years, that some people couldn't do in 50 yrs. I am no longer the only girl, I am no longer the youngest, and as far as I know, "Daddy's little girl" turned into "PopPop"s little girl". Watching her grow up has been an experience like no other. I never had a sister, but we fought like sisters, I never had a daughter, but I would give my life to save her's, and I never trusted anyone as much as her. My brother Joey and his then girlfriend Donna, have selflessly given the world someone to look up to. Up until March 1,1986, my life was pretty good, but God made it amazing overnight.
March 1, 1986 • Opuss № I