A TwirlTheGirl original, Nicole brought so much joy and light to everyone around her.  When I think of Nicole, the first thing that comes to mind is "the center of attention".  Clearly, she made a firm effort to play this space demanding role and enjoyed all that came with it. 

 

Nicole was like no other individual I knew.  Warm, sweet, loud, unique and always there for you.  She spent little time ignoring who she really was and was proud of every bit of her "against the stream" ways.  Sexuality was always present to her, and she made her hot interests known to everyone around her.

 

Accepting of all kinds, Nicole would always greet you with a big hug, and would always squeeze harder and stay in longer than the next.  Kind and coachable, she just sprinkled her "Nicoleness" all around.  If you didn't know Nicole, you would quickly know who she was in a room with her obvious "over the music" laugh.  I will miss that.  The first to arrive at a party, would help without asking, and the last to leave with horns of course.

 

I remember many after parties from our Saturday dances at my house in West Warwick, RI and Nicole would sleep over, gab all day and would go home Sunday late.  The girl could talk.  Vivacious, open, happy and energetic, she would make you wonder if you loved yourself the way she truly loved herself.  I do believe each person comes in and sometimes out of life for a reason and there are things to learn from all.  Nicole taught me acceptance, openness, generosity, and how to love myself exactly the way I am.

 

I must admit that I wonder how to prevent this kind of sadness and pain through a loss like Nicole.  It reminds me that if TwirlTheGirl did not exist, I would have never met Nicole.  I will be reminded tomorrow or days after that it is better to have loved and lost to have never loved at all.  For today, I remain wishing I knew no one.

 

 

To this missing dancing Queen, I love you for all that you are and will surround myself with colorful memories of all that you have brought to my life and to the TwirlTheGirl dancers. Your essence will live on through all the other dancing divas that have been blessed to laugh and cry with you.  You were special.

 

Jennifer Lyons Bloch