I was shocked to read of Lauren's passing. My deepest sympathy to her family, this is a tragic loss.
Lauren always seemed full of energy and cared greatly for the ones she loved. I remember how happy she was when Claire became pregnant; she made a tape of Adam Ant's Goody two shoes to help her stop bad habits. She loved seeing Jeff (effer or jefe), Lori and the B-man. She had a special place in her heart for her mother, and was very proud of her. Little things like when Lauren told me how much it had meant to her that her mom kept a car that her father bought her until she had to get a new one. Lauren had a huge smile reflecting and mimicking her mom dancing to the B-52's Love Shack… bang–bang, bang-bang. She told me numerous stories of her father and how much she loved him. Whether it was a reference to the compost pile in the backyard, planting the backyard hill, his time in Viet-Nam, or his work at NBC; she always admired him. I seem to remember one of her favorite pictures is of her in his lap.
Lauren appreciated the little things which meant so much to her. She loved movies and music. Her attention to detail was amazing. She had an adventurous side and loved to ride motorcycles, jet ski, snow ski, and really could drive a car – even while playing her steering wheel with drumsticks. The world was a brighter place with her in it.
I will always remember Lauren as the beautiful young girl with a great smile, soft hair, big heart and wonderful freckles (especially the ones on her nose). She made me a better person.