Many times now I have mentioned my amazing sister-in-law, Niki. But I don't think I've ever told you exactly WHY she's so amazing.
Well first of all, as a New Yorker, she puts up with the nutty inlaws from a much closer distance. I'm afraid she absorbs the brunt of the craziness, for which I am eternally grateful. It's really easy for me to just call Mommy on the phone every other day. Niki's the one driving her to the Waldbaum's and fixing the VCR.
An Italian girl, born in Brooklyn, Niki's no-goodnick father died when she was in high school. Her mother, the fabulous Rose, was a dressmaker and avid ballroom dancer. With few prospects available to her, Niki married straight out of high school, and was a mother by 19. By 20, her jackhole (my new favorite curse word) husband had abandoned her, and she was faced with raising her son, Danny, alone. She did a spectacular job. Working sometimes three jobs at a time, living in a trailor park, and working in a factory, Niki did what she had to do.
At 50, Niki went back to school, and has since earned her Associates Degree with Summa Cum Laude honors. She's presently earning her Bachelor's, all the while working a full time job. Her son, Danny, has grown up to be a man of integrity and kindness. He and Melissa got married a few years ago, and now have a new baby, Matthew. Niki's a grandma!...
She's smart and funny and wise and kind and thoughtful and inspiring and I adore her.
Niki and I are both only children, so neither of us knows what it's like to have a sister. But I think we're both grateful to our husbands for bringing us together, and we're happy to celebrate our sisterhood. It's interesting, our upbringings couldn't be more different, but we're really quite a bit alike.
Niki's latest accomplishment? She's lost 43 pounds! She got all excited the other day when she went clothes shopping, and had officially moved from the fat lady side of the store to the skinny lady side. Pretty soon we'll be able to do that most sisterly of sisterlike things - sharing clothes!
Several years ago, Niki took up photography, and she's proven herself amazingly talented. I think she's particularly gifted with landscapes and nature shots, and has a wonderful ability to capture a moment with a sly sense of humor. Little did you know that you see her photography all the time - she took the gorgeous flower shots that I switch out on my banner!
Okay, I realize that Wordless Wednesday is supposed to be...wordless. So I'll shut up now.
Here's the wordless part...
Please enjoy a few of my favorite of Niki's photographs. And please leave a comment telling her how GOOD she is. I SO wish she'd take her photography to a professional level. Maybe with your encouragement...
