celebrating a beautiful life.

I love these pictures of my aunt, Tia.  She's always been Tia to me.  Her real name is Karen, but I didn't find out until I was at least seven that that is her name. (:

When I was little, my favorite memory of Tia is when she took me to the James J Hill House in St. Paul, just the two of us, and we walked through the old-fashioned rooms, soaking in the ways of another world, it seemed.  I have loved that place ever since and that memory is particularly special to me. 

She still does that: shows me beauty.  Beauty that fills the soul.  I am constantly amazed at her depth and the way she sees the world with such wonder... her capacity to be moved, to notice detail, to seek out knowledge: about culture, about art, about writing, about me.  She deeply loves language and words and has always encouraged me to write, and write often.  She is one of the reasons I have kept blogging these years.

If there is anything I can say about this woman it is that her depth comes from Jesus.  And it's really wonderful. 
And as of yesterday, this woman has been finding and bringing beauty to the world for fifty years!  I'm so grateful to God for such a well-lived life.
I love you, Tia.  So thankful to celebrate you.  Honored to be loved by you.