Letter from Patti

Lauren, as you know, was an extraordinary human being. I had some thoughts I wanted to share as her Auntie.

It was my luck that when we used to draw names at Christmas, Lauren drew mine a couple of times. Her gifts were so like she was, thoughtful and sweet. One year, when I was into gardening and herbs, she gave me two packages of herb seeds and some herbed vinegar. I was very impressed because she was probably only 15 or 16 at the time, but still took the effort to get me something personal, that showed thoughtfulness and consideration of another

She was like that.

She always took the time to write a thank you note whenever I gave her a gift. I know we try to teach all our kids to do that, but Lauren followed through. Even on this last birthday, when I sent her a Starbucks gift card, and she was so sick, she still sent a thank you card. She was full of gratitude and appreciated all things.

She was like that.

I remember seeing her shortly after her first round of Chenio, when things were better. She said she would not be here except for Grace. She showed knowledge of the “Greater Than”…and acknowledged things were beyond her own power and control, but that she had been given some Grace. She was humble and meek.

She was like that.

Reading to her in her last days, the gift of being allowed to help her taught me some precious lessons. To the end, she held on to her being, responding with yes, and wow when I read something particularly interesting in book about the middle ages. I tried to take her back to France, to Avingnon, and to that time she was so enchanted with. And even with her limited ability, she expanded my knowledge as well.

She was like that.

I remember how precious the daily Latte had become. Since my time with her, I have tried to stop and be present as I sip and afternoon coffee, remembering a beautiful girl who reminded me that moments of everydayness are precious and to be savored as they are all too brief.

She was like that.

When I told her goodbye, I spoke to her of the new place she would be, and how we would miss her. I assured her that Her grandpa Lou and my mom would meet her there, and it would be such a short time until we joined her again. Her little hand squeeze let me know she knew what I was saying, and she was there for me.

She was like that.

Now I see Lauren whole and well again. Smiling at all of us in her sweet way, reminding us that she isn’t gone, just in a different place than we are. On a long trip as it were. She is beautiful, sensitive, sweet, and thoughtful still.

She IS like that.

With Love,

Patti