When it comes to Amy Tlapa, an original soul and a pure heart combined seamlessly with a mischievous attitude and a challenging disposition. In this world of conditioning and conforming to ‘fit in’, this was a female whose mind and reality were as close to freedom as one may come.
In the sweetest way - with the sweetest of smiles - Amy’s independent and fearless mind challenged everything about the world around her. She challenged authority. She challenged her family and friends to live better and grow. She challenged integrity. And, most admirably, she challenged the authenticity of love.
If you were fake, if you spoke behind someone’s back, if you said one thing and did another, or, if you tossed around the word ‘love’ as if it wasn’t a verb, well, Amy would let you know.
In the sweetest way - with the sweetest of smiles - Amy’s independent and fearless mind challenged everything about the world around her. She challenged authority. She challenged her family and friends to live better and grow. She challenged integrity. And, most admirably, she challenged the authenticity of love.
If you were fake, if you spoke behind someone’s back, if you said one thing and did another, or, if you tossed around the word ‘love’ as if it wasn’t a verb, well, Amy would let you know.
You see, Amy was aware. She was aware of her surroundings, the people involved and the true reasons behind their actions. If you did it, and you think she didn’t notice, she definitely did. And, she knows why you did it. She even knows you’re slightly embarrassed about doing it.
The kicker? She doesn’t care; could care less.
It was with this compassion that Amy brought forth her love to the world; a knowing and accepting compassion. We saw it with her family, her closest friends, with animals and – as I tear up writing this – I was certainly blessed to have experienced the depths and warmth her love provided (and is still providing.)
Amy was living life with a clear picture of what most people were afraid to admit and deal with. This means that Amy was original. She was her true self. There was nothing else to Amy but Amy. And, that was always refreshing to be around.
Although Amy was – for the most part – quiet, her presence was loud. You always wondered what she was going to do or say next. Life was more interesting, and hardly as serious, when it was time to be around her. The energy that fueled Amy’s spirit was perfectly balanced, drawing you in until you got close enough for her push you back in place.
When you meet one of a kind, you question everything you’ve ever been taught to know as true. You wonder how this person came to be who they are, and where the hell they’d been all your life. One of a kind is used to this sort of activity. So, they’re careful who they let inside. Again, the challenging nature of Amy Tlapa made being her friend an eventful and entertaining battle of wills.
Those lucky enough to get close to Amy know exactly what I am talking about. But, nothing in life worth having is easy to attain. Amy’s love and friendship were certainly worth the struggle of passing through the walls she built upon the struggles of life. Struggles that persistently presented themselves to her and, ultimately, led to her untimely death.
The kicker? She doesn’t care; could care less.
It was with this compassion that Amy brought forth her love to the world; a knowing and accepting compassion. We saw it with her family, her closest friends, with animals and – as I tear up writing this – I was certainly blessed to have experienced the depths and warmth her love provided (and is still providing.)
Amy was living life with a clear picture of what most people were afraid to admit and deal with. This means that Amy was original. She was her true self. There was nothing else to Amy but Amy. And, that was always refreshing to be around.
Although Amy was – for the most part – quiet, her presence was loud. You always wondered what she was going to do or say next. Life was more interesting, and hardly as serious, when it was time to be around her. The energy that fueled Amy’s spirit was perfectly balanced, drawing you in until you got close enough for her push you back in place.
When you meet one of a kind, you question everything you’ve ever been taught to know as true. You wonder how this person came to be who they are, and where the hell they’d been all your life. One of a kind is used to this sort of activity. So, they’re careful who they let inside. Again, the challenging nature of Amy Tlapa made being her friend an eventful and entertaining battle of wills.
Those lucky enough to get close to Amy know exactly what I am talking about. But, nothing in life worth having is easy to attain. Amy’s love and friendship were certainly worth the struggle of passing through the walls she built upon the struggles of life. Struggles that persistently presented themselves to her and, ultimately, led to her untimely death.
I still feel her presence around us, watching and aware, calling us out on our morals...checking on the authenticity of our love.
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