Aunt Leah

I realize that in general we're not supposed to play favorites, but let's be honest, we all do sometimes anyways. When it comes to people, one of my favorites in the entire world is my Great Aunt Leah. If I am anything like her when I grow up, then I will consider my life to be a success.

Aunt Leah lives in Los Angeles, and has been an elementary school teacher for many years. She’s maybe a little over 5 feet tall and simply adorable. My mom calls her the “Mexican Jumping Bean” because she is older than us, yet has more energy than all of us combined. I look up to her for so many reasons. Her faith. Her outlook on life. Her vivacity. Her compassion for others. She is one of the most beautiful people I know, if not the most beautiful.

This past week Aunt Leah’s dearest friend (and I think soulmate), Chuck, passed away. And we are heartbroken for her loss. But in spite of the grief that she carries during this time, she unwaveringly turns her eyes to Him, our shepherd and healer. The One who tenderly binds our wounds. Her life has not been a stranger to heartache, but Aunt Leah remains a positive, joy-filled person.

So I just wanted to take some time to stop and reflect on my absolute thankfulness that this woman is in my life. She has poured into me since day one. From the beginning of my path up until today, she has walked with me. She gets me. We live on opposite ends of the country, but our hearts are interwoven in such a way that no distance truly separates us. We are knit together for life. I find that the following excerpt from a poem by E.E. Cummings expresses our relationship precisely...

I carry your heart with me

I carry it in my heart

I am never without it

Anywhere I go you go...

I carry your heart

I carry it in my heart

I love you, Aunt Leah. Thank you for loving me unconditionally. Thank you for showing me what it means to be a godly woman. Thank you for your prayers, for being a great listener, and providing me with sage advice. Thank you for taking me with you on your Sunday walks and afternoons spent in the park under our tree.

Thank you for setting an example in regards to caring for everyone. No one else I know is so familiar with all of their neighbors’ lives, their neighbors’ kids’ lives, the people at Taco Bell’s lives, the people at the donut shop’s lives...the list goes on and on. You believe that everyone matters, that everyone has a story to tell and it is worth listening to. You are one of the few people I know who take the time to draw those stories out, and in doing so I believe that you change those individuals’ lives.

Thank you for letting me cry and pour out my heart over the phone when I was desperately homesick for Colorado. You helped me walk through a challenging season and taught me the importance of having something to look forward to everyday (a.k.a. mini vacations!). Thank you for our fun adventures to Disneyland, In N’ Out, donut shops across the L.A. region, New York City, etc. Thank you for teaching me that without question, relationships are the most important thing in this life. Nothing matters more. Thank you for giving me an incredible gift...the gift of having a relationship with you. My life is rich because you are in it. I carry your heart. I carry it in my heart...