Eulogies for an artist, writer, poet, health warrior, activist who came full circle at age 27
Quietly Imbibing Love from No-nonsense Women
By Arianne Faith Perez
Nikki, I don’t know what to say. Or maybe I do.
A thousand I love yous and that you will be sorely missed by us – your wide grins, and boisterous laughter, your always sardonic point of view, your ravishing rage against injustice. Your heart that is made of granite and diamonds, your soul that is free and always burning with passion for the things you believe in. You were nothing short of astounding.
Here we were back in 2015, I was all jet-lagged from the 20-hr flight, and there you were with Mami Marivir welcoming me to NY with such open arms and tight hugs. You taking a photo of Mami Marvz and me all around Manhattan, always patient and always laughing.
And I see you in my mind way earlier, when we would have meetings for women’s rights group Babaye, where you’d be sat doing your wonderdul doodles while listening attentively, I’m sure making judgments to the ridiculity of some things you were hearing, and you laughing out loud when you can’t bear the endless chatter.
Nikki, fly back home to our Father with the most beautiful angels. Until we meet again, our beautiful warrior.
All love. In tears. But, all love for you.
(Featured photo: Nikki being serenaded by twins Carolyn and Lauren Levin – avid believers of positive journalism espoused by OSM!
About the writer: Arianne Perez is a senior writer for a global petroleum company based in Singapore.)
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