Left to right: Shirsti, Joslynn, Koseli, and Sasha
She has been an idol of sorts for me since I was quite wee. I admired her unrestrained kindness, her extroverted hilarity, and her undeniably bewitching good looks. As a bashful and rather backward young girl whose fashion sense was limited to overalls and tube socks, my sister was a creature from a vogue magazine. In high school she had a string of lovesick boys tied around her little finger-- a notable feat that I never understood in elementary school but found quite braggable.
Though her grace and elegance originate from within, my sister was not always the sophisticated and chic woman she is today. Her convivial personality has created many legendary tales. When my family congregates in our South Jordan home for Christmas and birthdays, the inevitable Sasha Stories are always unbuttoned. The feud between Sasha and Gavin, The Little Mermaid in the bathroom closet, and "Gavin burped and I lost control!" are probably the most explored and analyzed of our family stories-- minus the Jossy spaz of course.
Sasha can make anyone from any situation comfortable, and I have noticed over the years how people seem to simply flock to her just to be in her presence. She has an electric current around her that attracts friends. Service is what she does best, and she puts this talent into practice every day.
I remember in particular a summer when Sash returned home from Snow college for a break. Everyone else was in school, besides me, so we were able to spend some quality time together. She called me her 'toady' and I would accompany her on various errands with the faithfulness attributed only to an admiring younger sister. It was two weeks of Tori Amos and chocolate and Sasha, and it was incredible.
Good fashion sense is a talent. I don't care what anybody else says-- not very many people have it (myself included) but my sister is not one of those people. Let us just say she has, 'the eye' for what looks nice and what must go. Stepping into her apartment is like vicariously living in a Pottery Barn magazine, and her closet harbors many gems of clothing that her excellent shopping skills could not have wielded to anybody else. She is the most conscientious person I know. When out on an excursion, she will always call if she see something that reminds her of you. She is a giver of magnificent gifts. She is very good at what she does; wherever she is she is loved, and wherever she works she excels to the top of the corporate chain. She can do anything, be anything, and still be a friend and confidant to everyone.
My sister is a supreme letter writer, poet, and chef. Her goodness shows in her face. She glows as only so few people can. She is so elevated in my eyes that wherever she might be, I always feel close to her.
So this one is for you Sasha. I hope you know how beautiful you truly are.
