In Loving Memory of Lauren

A year ago today we received a phone call no one ever wants to get - Lauren's been in an accident and being flown to Iowa City. At first you have panic, but then you reassure yourselves that everything will be all right, it has to be all right. We packed a bag, put AnLi in her jammies, and hit the road. For the first couple of hours of the drive we'd get phones calls updating Lauren's condition. For another two hours the drive was silent - AnLi was sleeping, Brian and I's minds were racing and the phone did not ring. We knew. The last hour of the drive were just tears. No, we hadn't made it in time to say good-bye to Lauren. We entered the PICU waiting area and saw a whole host of other family and friends who had made it in time, there supporting Beth, Greg and Steven, and surrounding Lauren with prayer as she was literally fighting for her life.

Lauren was just 15. A beautiful young girl who had so much going for her and a very bright future. Lauren had a beautiful demeanor and a huge heart. From the little girl who used to terrorize her kitty, she had become a huge animal lover. She was excited about the upcoming homecoming dance and especially excited about her new dress. But instead of being the beautiful dress she'd wear out on a night while dancing and enjoying her many friends, it would be the dress she'd be laid to rest in.

We all miss Lauren very much. AnLi especially loved her cousin Lauren. Our first month home they came to visit and AnLi warmed right up to her, something AnLi didn't do to a lot of people at first. At Christmas AnLi loved sitting with Steven and Lauren, and doing anything they did, especially pester them during the TV trivia game. :) We're sad to think that Carli never got the pleasure of meeting Lauren. Lauren was always thinking of Carli, though, and had even bought her a stuffed animal to give her when they finally got the chance to meet. That's just how Lauren was - always thinking of others. I can't even put into words what a sweet, loving, caring person she was. Just the week of her death she had told her family that she wanted to be an organ donor. We have been blessed to receive the updates of the five people's lives she saved because of her selfless act. Lauren lives through them.

We can only hope our two girls grow up with Lauren's amazing personality and her huge heart!

Please say a prayer for Brian's sister Beth, her husband Greg, and our nephew Steven, Grandpa and Grandma Gute and the many other family members and friends as they celebrate Lauren's life today. We miss you and love you so much, Lauren!