We were nestled on the rocks, overlooking the valley and the great rock wall adjacent that we would be climbing together later that day. T’s head was rested on my lap, as I read out loud the words from the novel Dune. It was the childhood story she had always wanted to hear read to her. The plot irrelevant to me. This moment gave me the opportunity to give love back to the shining star of a woman who was teaching me how to love again. The sun rose up over the canyon and the chilly spring morning started to warm. There we were, two new friends, head to lap, coffees by our side, simply taking the world in, breath by breath.
She was resilient, and so was I.
In the time that I spent living with Tera, I not only learned how she showed up for me, but how she showed up in all aspects in her life. I saw her working relentlessly on a project that she felt devoted to. I saw her care for her pup in a disciplined, yet loving way. I saw her experience setbacks and pick herself back up again. I witnessed her staying hopeful, staying determined, staying kind and trusting the Universe and its process.
Most days at Everland, T worked long tireless days. She’d find her way back to the house at the end of the day, hair filled with sticks, tired eyes, never for once, doubting the course she was on. She would take care of herself with a long bath, get some sleep, and prepare to do it all over again the next day.
Oftentimes, the group would come back to the house from an excursion and T would have a surprise up her sleeve of some sort or another; delighting others with a gourmet meal or a special surprise. Giving happiness to others filled her up.
I first met Tera dancing in a group together at a Red Rocks show. Roughly a half a year later, I had just moved back to Colorado, and she, someone who I barely knew at the time, welcomed me to come stay with her for the weekend at the home she lived in outside of the city. She had heard through our community that I could use some support and she made herself available. Her invitation to come stay at Everland changed the course of my life forever.
Over the following months Tera was by my side, as I picked back the pieces, of what felt like my broken self. None of this bothered her. We went on runs together, camping trips, snuggle sessions, painting nights, coffee mornings. We traded clothes and stories. We danced in the early mornings, worked out and read in the evenings. We adventured and pondered. We worked and played. And we united in our vow to focus on the positive, and to never dwell in the negative. It was in these moments and in this alignment, that the special magic chemistry of our friendship found itself. Even after I moved away from the home that we shared, the spirit and livelihood of our friendship is alive everyday.
This woman turns 30 today. Her light shines for the world and it shines right back for her. So many more years to come my sweet little baby T. May this next chapter bring everything and more to you. The Universe has got you, and so do we. Your strength, your humbleness, your womanhood, your love will move mountains sister.
With love,
Isa
