"My name is Spunky the Monkey, and I have a strange tale to tell, of jungle land where I began, I remember it so well........

Mosquito netting around her water bed...

Summers at Burr Oak...

Trips to Destin, Pensacola and Siesta Key!

The Dog Food Can incident, complete with stitches.

Christmas Kareoke!

To be continued....

I just received this photo album that Nicole had put together thru the years.  It truly has been a walk down memory lane.  Some photos from junior high, some from high school, there are even a couple from a 40th bday party snuck in there!  I so love her and miss her  every day.  Thank you for sharing this album with me, Marsha.  Here's to the rest of you to enjoy these photos as well.

It's been nearly a year since Nicole was taken from us and I still think of her every day. I miss her smile, her cackle (even she called it that), her brutal honesty, her advice, her friendship, and her love.

We had our good times and our bad times. The good definitely outweighed the bad. I wouldn't trade in any of the moments I had time with her. I loved her with all of my heart. She was my soulmate.

In all the photos I have with her I am smiling and it is a genuine smile. I'm not one to fake smile in photos. I couldn't help but smile when I was with her.

She was instrumental in me becoming a better person. She pushed me to do things that were uncomfortable for me but were the right thing to do. I am so grateful for her persistence and love.

I will always have her with me.

The two words “Aunt Sherry” with an intonation only Nicole could pitch, will forever live in my heart.  A voice filled with a depth of personal emotion along with that ever so sly smile and a twinkle in both eyes will see me through the difficult years to come when she no longer speaks audibly.Instead, her spiritual essence will fill me and comfort me on days when my thoughts are of her.

I will remember the times spent with Druie and Nicole…her motherly advice that seemed to transcend raising her son not only by the book but with a strength in her heart to look between the lines.Her sense of motherhood was one of dedication, attention and education.And, of course, always relying on family to give her strength and support.As a mother and daughter, Nicole and Marsha worked together with Druie at The Freedom School 1st through 5th grade to support and guide him into a world of quality and diverse education…offering a strong base of love and direction!  I attended a Christmas gathering with Druie, Nicole and Marsha at the school witnessing firsthand the meaning of pride three ways!

On a trip back home in July 2018, I went dancing (pictures posted) with Nicole, her Mom and friend, Marcia at Stovall’s Grove…a dance hall in Wildwood, Missouri…..country western at its’ finest.The four of us danced the night away with Nicole encouraging us to participate in the group dance lessons that included men and women of all ages – a common thread of people, music, dance and community spirit.

The Grant’s Farm pictures I posted on the website will remain a vivid memory of time spent with Nicole, Druie, Chad, Jennifer, Sammie, Kurt, Marsha and myself on a blistering hot St. Louis day in May 2019…connecting and experiencing family togetherness while waiting for McKenna and James’ wedding.It now becomes an even dearer memory of our time together and a reason to respect the “feeling” that meant so much to Nicole.

Family is Everything   Let us all embrace her passion for family.  .Karen has enabled us to enjoy and discover all we shared with Nicole and carry on….our hearts are full….as was hers…