This beautiful drawing was lovingly made by Nikoline, a pop up birthday card to my oldest.Our friends in Costa Rica have suffered an unimaginable loss. On Thursday, September 29, one of their beautiful young daughters, Nikoline, died in a tragic accident.
Nikoline loved her family and the life they shared. She loved her horses and goats and each one of the jardinera hens and roosters and the countless chicks which were named upon hatching. Nikoline grew up pushing the family dog around in a doll stroller and cleverly figuring ways for him to haul sticks for the cook fire. She delighted in tea parties with her sisters and dressing her little brothers for after supper theatrical productions. She savored every moment she had with her grandparents learning new tricks in the kitchen, trying new artistic techniques, playing cards and taking long walks through the cloudy hills. Nikoline was just a girl, but even at her tender age, her being was defined, her path clear.
Nikoline was an artist. While she dabbled in dance and song, her gift was in the creation of beautiful images and stories. It is a loss shared by the whole world that she was not able to spend decades producing drawings and paintings, imagining clever narratives. Even at her tender age, Nikoline had a distinct artistic style. Her countless drawings and paintings told the story of her beautiful life. Vivid colors and confident lines captured horses and chickens and tree lined hillsides filled with flowers and songbirds. Nikoline loved life and she brought joy with her where ever she went.
All of her treasures have been packed in boxes. Little china tea sets and figurines, hair clips and necklaces, birthday cards and family photographs, school books and sheet music, fancy dresses and favorite jeans, everything packed and ready to join her family again, where ever that may be. Soon, sorrow will drain and the pure essence of joy that always radiated from Nikoline will fill the hollows of everyone who had the privilege of knowing her. That beauty will make us all stand taller and more courageous, never forgetting to live each day to the fullest and each action we make, with great care.
All of her treasures have been packed in boxes. Little china tea sets and figurines, hair clips and necklaces, birthday cards and family photographs, school books and sheet music, fancy dresses and favorite jeans, everything packed and ready to join her family again, where ever that may be. Soon, sorrow will drain and the pure essence of joy that always radiated from Nikoline will fill the hollows of everyone who had the privilege of knowing her. That beauty will make us all stand taller and more courageous, never forgetting to live each day to the fullest and each action we make, with great care.
6 comments:
I am in deep mourning about Nikolina's death and the destruction of this beautiful, loving family. Thank you for your words, Alison.
Connie
Beautiful words, Alison. They help us get to know Nikoline, if only in a small way. May your sentiments and reassuring presence help to soothe this unimaginable loss in the midst of unimaginable circumstances. Although we have never met this wonderful, peace-loving family in person, we are devastated by their loss - a loss created by such blatant INJUSTICE on the part of the Costa Rican government. We suffer with them; our hearts literally ache with theirs, and yours, in this empathetic void. We are paying attention. Your friends are most definitely not alone. Please extend our kindest regards.
Danica
Nikoline was my oldest daughter's best friend. Nikoline was God's little creature, her sisters are God's little creatures, the entire family are God's little creatures. I have vivid images in my mind the numerous times this family, all of them, with all kindness, patience, prudence, respect and dignity helped my wife, my daughters, myself, even with little insignificant situations that we experienced while living in Costa Rica. We also celebrated wonderful happy times together, with their equally wonderful relatives and many other friends. They are innovative, self sufficient,very productive, respectful, conscious, fair, smart, very smart, they loved every single animal in their farm. They are without a doubt the most admirable people I ever have the privilege of knowing and sharing moments with in my entire life. A great deal of the population of the town of Puriscal knew this as well especially the locals who admired this family as they passed by on their errands or excursions on their horses, or offered their wonderful baking goods. Everybody wanted their bread, cakes and cookies or even their knowledge about so many different things, they lived in a perfect little world in harmony with nature and those around. These wonderful people did not, would not hurt a soul. They are God's little creatures. Nikoline is God's little creature who will forever live in our hearts and souls. Por siempre y para siempre para Nikolina y su familia, con todo amor. Miguel
my heart has broken in two at the thought of dear sweet 'Bubsy' losing her life. She truly was a unique precious little girl, and although I haven't seen her since she was about 6 I can only imagine the young lady she had grown into. I will never forget my time in Costa Rica with her amazing family and friends. Too her family, Allison, Miguel, and all those that knew her I am so sorry for your loss. Much Love, Autumn
Its been too long since we've visited. This is so sad! :-( Beautiful drawing and lovely tribute.
I remember reading your blog when I first came to Costa Rica. I just found out about your story from a friend who is still there. We left in Sept 2010... I am so sad to read this. To read that the ticos, known world-wide for the gentle ways, could be so cruel and unforgiving. I don't think the ticos even care about vaccinations. They just care about rules. The madness of crowds... I am so sorry for your loss. We have all lost something dear with Nikoline.
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