My relationship with Nik began some 39 years ago in California. He then being just a little innocent boy, shy by nature, frail in stature. Our encounter was all too brief setting a pattern for years to come. Only on just a few occasions did our lives come in contact; as his father and I would bring he and his 2 brothers to visit their new extended family,a new baby sister, two stepsisters and a step brother. Our visits were all to few, no time to form close relationships or bond as "family". Never the less I Loved them and we were and ARE family. As a mist at dawn quickly fades we moved away and they were left behind. Out of contact for years to come but never out of my mind or heart. As happens all to often in our lives day to day life takes over and thus the passing of time quickly flashes by like pages of a book in a stiff swift breeze. Approximately 20 years pass before our lives would touch once again for just a few brief months; but alas a chance to get to know a bit more about each other, to make a connection to bond together as a family. Nik and Roy couragous young men, strike out together like pioneers in search of the unknown,yearning to know who they were and from where they had become. They traveled all the way from the "Big" city Chicago to a small country town in Wisconsin to meet us, once again their family. The Dad they scarcely could recall, a step mom (me) and a white woman at that!! 2 step sisters,a step brother and a half sister. Strange how strong the sense of family, the sense of wonder, purpose and belonging. we as GODS creatures, created in his image we are endowed with his greatest attributes that of Love, justice,wisdom and power. The greatest is that of Love. Love conquers all. All to quickly like the dew of early morning when the sunlight awakens, they were gone back to the big city, not to hear ever a word of them for many years to come. The next and last time I would see Nik was at Cleven Jrs' home in St Paul early on in 2010. A sad occasion for the family. Their dear Mother had fallen asleep in death. But rest assured just as our beloved Nik also, she will "hear HIS voice and come out" John 5:28. I hadn't seen or heard from Nikki from then on up until early in April of this year, when surprisingly out of the blue he called me, like an angel appearing to comfort and console me after the 37 year marriage to his father ended in divorce. We shared many hours of conversation on many occasions bearing our hearts to one another, somehow we had a connection like we had known each other forever. We shared so many thoughts feelings and disappointments, reminisced about them moving from California, his feelings as a child, his short stay with us many years earlier, his recollections of his time spent and perception of his father,his relationship with his brothers,sisters, Mother and step dad. He talked about his children whom he loved with all his heart. he said he just needed to understand the reasons why? All in all he was always upbeat, full of fun and life. A kind and gentle soul. I will never forget his last few words of encouragement to me Friday July 22,2011 at 7:08 PM. "You Are a powerhouse, you can do it, it will all be ok"!! My heart is heavy with sorrow, I will Miss you Nik until we speak again in paradise, when the meek shall inherit the earth and all will be called sons and daughters of the most high God Jehovah. , INSTEAD OF LIVING IN THE SHADOW OF YESTERDAY. WALK IN THE LIGHT OF TODAY AND THE HOPE OF TOMORROW!! "And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that no matter what we ask according to his will,he hears us" 1John5:14