For the Ones Who Live on Their Own Terms

 Free spirit.

That is how my dad always described his sister-in-law. When she came up in conversation – usually because of something she had generously, courageously, or joyfully done with laughter and a bit of colorful language – he would shake his head and say, “That’s Johnnie…a free spirit if I ever saw one.”

I love her larger-than-life laughter, often at herself. She loves absurdity, nature, and reading. Even as I decided to share Aunt Johnnie with you, I have a hard time condensing her down into neat little newsletter box. Not to say that her life hasn’t been hard at times. Case in point, several years ago she tripped while trying to open the fridge and broke her back, an injury that landed her in the hospital and dealing with chronic pain. But she keeps that part to herself, choosing instead to do as much gardening as she can, and give herself a rest and a break when she needs it. I love that sometimes she declares a “Pajama Day,” which is literally as it sounds…a day for reading, napping, and only getting up for the occasional snack. As a quiet, introverted only child, I wasn’t always sure how to respond, but as an adult I find myself asking how I can be more like her.

Simple answer. Focus the eyes of my heart less on my own worries and molehills-into-mountains, and more on the beauty of this wide, wide world. To laugh loud and fully. Hide silly gifts around the house for guests and family members to find. Go on capers into the woods and forage for native plants that don’t belong to me, propagate them and then take the new ones back to re-plant. Make such good friends with the vet that they come for house calls. Dress my dog in a t-shirt bought specially for her. Sit in a rusty lawn chair on a Sunday morning, resting in unconventional spirituality. Weed, trim, and leave flowers for the strangers’ headstones in the cemetery that have been left neglected. In short, do unto others as I would have them do unto me. That goes for everything – people, animals, this beautiful earth. Listen when people talk, and as much as possible, do this in person. Be serious when it’s time to be serious, but remember that seriousness isn’t required as often as I think. For a very solemn little girl who was in awe of her aunt, this was gold. As an adult, I am grateful and happy to have such a shimmering example of “an old soul with young eyes, a vintage heart, and a beautiful mind.”