I instilled in Isla Jane from a young age that our hands and heart are connected, an individual expression of our souls. Tender hearted, the gentlest soul with a quiet confidence, lightning speed mind and mischievous spark. A strong identity from the start marked with kindness and integrity in spades -“care a lot”, my little care bear, I used to call her.
She grew into a young woman of the earth who trusted the reassuring rhythms of the seasons, growing gardens from saved seeds and cuttings, spreading life wherever she went. A multifaceted artist, painter, sculpture, guitarist, permaculturalist, conservationist, fashion designer…her talents were many. Although in awe of who she was, it’s what she stood for that I’m most proud of.
The depth and breadth of her life experiences shaped her values and pushed her to her limits which were often barbed wire fences. Yet she faced these challenges with wisdom beyond her years. Fiercely loyal and protective of those she loved, she had a sixth sense—sensing suffering and always turning up with selfless compassion.
We talked about the butterfly effect, believing that the world is interconnected and a small event can influence a much larger system. “be the change you want to see in the world bub!” I’d often say, so she did! Wild heart opened wide, her essence palpable wherever she went by friends and strangers alike….such a vibrant, memorable personality.
Sometimes she felt defeated, overwhelmed by the injustices around her. But apathy was never an option, her spirit remained strong. She felt deeply, and instead of turning away from the pain, she used it as fuel—a force for hope, change and opportunity for all. She stood up fiercely for women’s, children’s and animal rights. Calling out abuse as it happened, she lived her beliefs fully. A staunch social activist, she scattered seeds into the shadows of our society that need to be challenged. She kept fighting until her last breath – and I couldn’t be prouder. In her honour I hope to inspire collective action to germinate those seeds and cultivate a society in which every member feels safe and respected.