Niki was born on March 22, 1981. She was my first daughter, my first child. Her smile, her eyes spoke volumes even as a baby. I always felt Niki was an "old soul'. She was a pleasant baby who seemed to have a calm about here. As Niki grew she was never to shy to get up and dance or sing in front of an audience. Her sitters Linda and Bill would take her for the weekend and to church on Sundays and they spoke of how she would always volunteer to sing a song or to dance in front of everyone.Niki lived in Pittsburgh up until she was about 8 years old. I really think now that I probably should  have raised her there instead of Tampa Florida. that will be a mistake I will never forgive my self for. She longed for her father Gene back home and wanted to be back there so much. She had family back in Pittsburgh and none here in Tampa except me. She wanted to be showered by her family. It was important to her and family was the top of the list for her. Niki was raised by her mom Mimi and I was a single parent. So we never had much and Niki never asked for much. It seemed that she knew there wasnt much money so she settled for what she got and never asked for more than she knew i could give.  Oh dont get me wrong, there were times when she wanted for something but she never through a temper tantrum over not having it. she accepted it. Niki's heart was bigger than all of us and noone noticed til it was too late.