Tristen

Tristen is one of the most amazing women I've met.  She has had and continues to have a strong influence on my spiritual and educational perspectives.  I met Tristen when I was in high school and she is one of the few people I've kept in contact with since.  It might also surprise some of you to know that she was my English teacher my sophomore year.  Now we frequently hike or walk and the entire time carry on power conversations about the ins and outs of life.  She is strong, independent, has admirable values, understands the beauty of living simply, and provides phenomenal advice.   Most importantly, doesn't see me as an inferior due to my younger age but rather someone who is simply not as far along the hiking trail as she (and if this literally were the case she'd be yelling to me her weekend antics rather than patiently wait for me to catch up to talk about it in hushed tones).

But do good things always happen to good people? No, and what I love most about this woman is her ability to stay grounded despite the storms that attempt to uproot her.  She is a testament to the reality of life being a roller coaster, always having its ups and downs, but if you put good energy into the universe, the universe will return good energies to you.  This image so accurately depicts her strength but also her softness, a juxtaposition that is emphasized by the contrast of black and white.  

In honor of her I wish you a proper farewell-

Namaste