Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Marija Stephens: Luminous

I have just returned from a business trip and don't have the spirit yet to write about design. My mind is on Marija of Holding Court. I am heartbroken for her husband, her children and all her family and friends. There have been beautiful tributes to Maria in the blog world and I want this post of rememberance to always be a part of this blog.

We only met last month. Within the first half-hour I had invited her to my home in September and she had accepted. We laughed, shared stories and agreed on so much. How can only 7 hours of time together and a month of emailing create such a deep impression?

I am left with one conclusion: some people, by their very nature, are more. They are greater in joy, brighter in intellect, bigger in spirit, and filled more with love. Marija was one of those people.

I have also found that these most gifted of people are the most humble; the least aware of their excellence; the most generous with their wit and humor; the most capable of making you feel good and valued just by being around them. They live optimistically and with abundance, freely sharing their goodness. Marija was very gifted in all these ways.

Luminous.


(Marija's husband has written a beautiful piece about his wife here. Donations in Marija's name can be made to Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago.)

27 comments:

Ren- Lady Of The Arts said...

Thank you for sharing this-

Karena said...

It is such a sad loss and she will be truly missed. It always makes me question and wonder when a brigh shining star like Marija is lost to the world!

A Gift Wrapped Life said...

I had only recently began following Marija and I am so sorry for the loss of your friend. How wonderful that you had the opportunity to meet her. I especially enjoyed her writing and it is a devastating loss for her husband and children. My prayers are with you and she shall be missed. I hope you can let us know how her family is doing from time to time. XO

Charlotta Ward said...

I know how you feel. I too am devastated, heartbroken and in numbing shock. I feel the void and am heartbroken for her beloved family. It's cruel how life sometimes takes the most precious gems - those who make our life brighter and richer. Marija was a dear friend and I miss her terribly, though unlike you we never met in real life. Having received beautiful emails from her Cory and one of her close real-life friends, I know that I was a part of Marija's tangible life. It is a comfort to know our friendship goes beyond the physical world in a time like this.
I feel with you and hope you have strength, love and support to get through this. Sending you warm and healing energy all the way from Sydney.

x Charlotta

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pve design said...

Such a brilliant post. I love that you were able to connect and to meet one another. Your life is "more" luminous with a star filled sky!
My thoughts are with you and her family.
pve

Susie @ Maddie G Designs said...

This is such a tragic loss. I didn't know her like many of you other bloggers. But, I always appreciated an honest comment or email from her. She was truly special and will be missed. I pray for her family and friends, including you.

AnneHH said...

So hard to comprehend or come to terms with such a loss. Thank you for sharing your feelings here. Hugs and heart to you and to her beautiful family and all who were touched by Marija.
xoxo, Anne

LindsB said...

What a beautiful post about a beautiful woman :)

Susan McClaskey said...

You've written a beautiful tribute and I know it will be appreciated by her family and friends.

Unknown said...

I love how you describe her. I know I would have felt the same. Elizabeth

Hill Country House Girl said...

Michelle

I am so sorry for the loss of your friend, Marija. She sounds like the most amazing person who was loved by so many. I am happy for you, though, that you got to meet her and that she became a part of your life. I know you will never forget her - your tribute to her is beautifully written and I will be praying for you, her other friends and her family during this time of heartache.

Connie @ SogniESorrisi said...

Such a tragedy. I'm sorry for the loss of your new friend and my heart goes out to Marija's family.

Kasey said...

she was a dear blogging friend who i had the oppurtunity to meet through Eddie.
She will be missed.
xo

Hello Lover... said...

So heartbreaking. It took me a few days to get back to my blog after reading about this on Monday night, it's truly devastating and I just pray my prayers are with her husband, children, and the rest of her family and friends.

alison giese Interiors said...

What a wonderful tribute, Michelle. When I hear of people like Marija, who were by all accounts almost other-wordly in their grace, I almost think of it as the angels taking up one of their own. At least that's my way of comprehending the emptiness her family must feel.

west by south said...

An absolutely lovely post...thank you for sharing your personal story. I have saved this as a reminder of what goodness can be and is...

Champagne on Tuesdays said...

Thank you for sharing this. What a tragedy.My condolences to you and to her family.

tarheel said...

you have honored her in such a lovely way. My heart breaks for her family.

Unknown said...

wow -the pictures have been taken very masterfully and the results are exceptionally good - however, her loss is something that can never be fulfilled, this is all life is about

Dumbwit Tellher said...

So beautifully and perfect written. Makes me cry all over again. The loss of Marija was huge. Even though we had never met in person, I feel such compassion & deep sadness for her husband, children and family. You could look at her smile & know she was a genuine person and oh so talented. Tragic

x

Love Your Homes said...

I feel devastated reading about this tragic accident....Marija wasn't well known to me in the blogworld but still the same I'm a mother and designer feeling very sad for the family's loss.

With my warmest respect,
Ingela.

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Mary said...

I am very new to the world of blogging, just a few months. Today, is the first I had heard of Marija, through a tribute on another blog. I looked through her blog and have read many tributes devoted to her; I wish I would have discovered her blog before, I can see why she is greatly missed by so many!!

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My Notting Hill said...

The comments that have been removed were spam comments regarding products.

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