Light, Laughter and Lauren

There are dates that never feel ordinary again. The week of Lauren and Lindsey’s 38th birthday (11/19) and Lauren’s 2nd birthday in heaven, Lindsey spent time with mom, Jeremy and Greg in Tennessee. Tracey, Ella, Jordan, Harleigh and I spent time together remembering Lauren in a variety of ways. Instead of making the day feel heavy and sad, we chose to make it feel like her. Not just remembered but celebrated.

We gathered together with lanterns, ready to send a little light up into the sky for Lauren. And honestly? It was far from perfect. The wind was blowing, we caught the grass on fire! 😳 The lanterns did not want to cooperate. We laughed more than we expected, watched a few tumble across the graveyard and finally managed to get them lit. At that point we realized there was a no burn order. We prayed they would actually burn out before hitting the ground and causing a major forest 🔥! Somehow all of this chaos made it even better.

It wasn’t quiet or heavy. It was real. It was something Lauren would have wanted to be part of and her laughter would have been just as loud as ours. We played music Lauren would have loved, stood together and watched those lanterns fly into the night sky. It felt like a moment of joy breaking through the grief.

Because remembering her doesn’t have to feel sad. It can feel light.

Before the lanterns, we spent time doing something meaningful in Lauren’s name. We packed bags for those in our community experiencing homelessness. We filled each one with essentials and a handwritten notes expressing love and kindness, letting them know they were thought of, valued and mattered.

Because Lauren mattered. And the best way to honor her is to remind others that they matter too.

If you are experiencing grief, reach out. Let’s talk. Grief is tough. It’s hard. We need each other.

Happy heavenly birthday Lauren. We love you. We miss you. And we will keep your light shining in ways that matter.