A few years ago, I was presenting on a cloud topic at PASS Summit that was still in preview. The day I arrived in Seattle, I attempted to practice my demo, and everything had changed. Luckily, my session was late in the week, so I had time to make adjustments to my session, but I was freaking out.

As I walked up to the session room, the room monitor, Nikita, noticed that I was stressed. We started talking, and she suggested that I do a breathing exercise with her. “Smell the flowers; blow out the candle.” That really did help, and the presentation was a success.

After the session, we talked more about how she spread joy wherever she could. I was surprised when Heidi Hastings walked up and joined the conversation. Heidi and Nikita had already become friends that week.

I’ve kept in touch with Nikita over the years through texting but hadn’t seen her since. Things haven’t been easy for her, but she is always joyful.

This year, I received a text message. She was back working at the Convention Center for PASS Summit and wondered if I would be there. She took a week off work from her bakery job to work the Summit because the pay was better, but also because she loves our community. You may have met Nikita at PASS Summit at the entrance near the restaurant throughout the week. She talked to many of us, especially giving encouragement to the speakers.

On Friday morning, she wasn’t at her post. I wondered if she was sick or maybe just didn’t plan to work that day. I didn’t think too much about it until I received a text from her asking to talk. The reason she didn’t make it to the convention center on the last day is because she was assaulted and seriously injured that morning. To make things worse, she is still not able to work.

Nikita is such a sweet person, really a ray of sunshine who sees good in everyone. Right now, she is not only hurting physically; she’s lost her income as well.

If you met Nikita at PASS Summit, I would love for you to reach out by sharing well wishes or by sending her a few dollars to help her get by until she’s able to get back to work. I don’t want to publicly share her information, so please contact me here and I’ll send you her Venmo or pass along well wishes.

Update from Nikita on December 4th:

Hello beloveds. Well, I’m about 26 days in after my attack, and I felt that it was only right to provide you all with an update.

Honestly, things have been very challenging, confusing, and out of sort. I am trying my best to figure it out and just take it moment by moment.

Unfortunately, I have missed about three and a half weeks of work, but I am so blessed and grateful for the ones that provided me blessings, prayers, and little gold nuggets to help me get through this unfortunate time.

I am doing my best to take necessary action, so I have a court date on December 5th in regard to this protection order.

Again, thank you so much for those who took their time and energy to check on me, whether it was a text message, a phone call , or an email.

Wishing all a beautiful happy and healthy holiday season,

Nikita

!!Please fill out contact form or contact Kathi Kellenberger on Facebook if you would like to correspond to Nikita!!