Tribute To A Beautiful Soul

Normally, we start off the new year with some sort of resolution or positive affirmation. However, sometimes things occur which are completely out of our control and completely unexpected. 

Yesterday, Heaven welcomed an angel from Earth, Julia Alvarez. As I type this, it is completely incomprehensible to think that she is no longer with us here. Her life was taken tragically in a car accident on the morning of January 9th, 2022, but her memory and her spirit will always remain with me. She was an incredible individual with such a kind spirit, wise beyond years, but so young (only 22 years old). 

I met Julia at a fashion show last year as we coincidentally sat next to each other. After she commented on how much she loved my necklace, we began talking. What proceeded that evening was a beautiful friendship and work companion who would help me achieve new goals and push our initiative in an amazing direction. She was so full of ideas, and knew how to logistically pull them off. It’s easy to have ideas and dreams, it’s another to follow through and execute them. She was capable of executing and designing events and helping me overcome so many obstacles. She was beautiful and modeled some clothes that still exist on the site and I do not want to take them down, since I think that her legacy will and should always live on. 

Over the course of time, we developed somewhat of a big brother/little sister bond, and seldom disagreed with me about anything. It was seemingly the perfect match. Julia lost one of her closest friends due to a condition abruptly named Justice during the time we were working together and her dedication to family and friends was something that I admired about her. Her younger sister and her were inseparable. 

Julia and I were also in the process of coordinating and organizing a State of Gratitude Retreat to California. I am still just in pure disbelief of the reality of this situation. It will be hard to see this trip through without her, but I know she will be with us in spirit. For those of you joining, we will be lighting candles, or remembering her in some way shape or form, since she was such an incredible motivation for taking the next steps to make this come to fruition. 

Because I believe that we should always live in a State of Gratitude no matter how positive or negative a circumstance may be, I want to end my letter with my Gratitude List for Today. 

1. Today, I have gratitude for being able to wake up another day sober. 
2. Grateful that I can move my body to workout and keep my body and mind healthy. 
3. I am grateful for family and friends today who I can share all my favorite memories of Julia with. 
4. I am grateful to have met Julia, and to have had her in my life. She will forever have a piece of my heart. She motivated me when I needed motivation. She was selfless always put others before herself. 
5. I am grateful for life, and reminded that it is so short and change in the blink of an eye. 
6. I am grateful to have a life today beyond my wildest dreams, surrounded by individuals who love and support me every day. 
7. Julia. May you rest in peace. 

These were some of her favorite pieces.. portion of proceeds will go to the Alvarez Family to help with any arrangements...