Summer Pictures -- 2006

SOSU Guard Girls -- Summer 2006

Front Row: Amy B., Jamie, Stefanie A.F.

Back Row: Mamy, Manda, Lindsey, Me, Stephanie F.

This was actually taken in the church at Plainview, TX.

We thought Lauren would have found humor in the fact that

our one and only group photo was taken in the bathroom.

We were the largest single group represented that day.

I couldn't have been more proud of us.

Strong women, supporting each other, coming together...

In honor of Lauren.

Jamie and Lauren

This was taken just outside of the new Shearer Hall at Southeastern.

In True Lauren Form

Me, Manda, Jamie and Lindsey posing next to Lauren's name.

Barefoot, of course.

For You I Will...

The following is a blog post from my dear friend Jamie. This has been republished with her permission.

***

Things have been changing so fast lately!! I've had to make some difficult choices. Choices that, to me, are life changing. I look back on this semester so far and am saddened by the fact that I haven't been taking full advantage of it. I made a promise to myself that I was going to live this semester in memory of Lauren. I was going to do what I wanted when I wanted to do it. I was going to be spontaneous, carefree, and adventurous. But, I have done none of that...

Well, those months are over now. Hard times have past and I had been too wrapped up in worrying about someone else. I don't have to worry about that person anymore and now it's time to concentrate on myself and keeping my promise. I miss Lauren so much now...more than usual. But I find myself smiling more and laughing more. I'm beginning to live this semester how I would have if she were still here. I don't have her to kick the magnolia seeds down the sidewalk with me...but I do it anyway. I don't have her to sing stupid songs in the car with me...but I do it anyway. I think of her each day and feel her with me. I still cry every now and then. But more often, when I think of her I smile.

Last spring break, Lauren flew by herself for the first time to go to Kansas City to see Katy. I admired her bravery and spontaneity. I wanted to live how she lived. I wanted to surprise someone by booking a flight for a visit. I wanted to travel by myself and make decisions without worrying.

This Sunday I booked my ticket to go visit Katy for fall break. It will be my first time doing something on my own and traveling on my own and I am so excited. Lauren served her purpose on this earth and she touched so many lives. I have learned so much from her...

Because of Lauren...

I will go barefoot more often...

I will be more spontaneous...

I will laugh harder and louder...

I won't be ashamed of who I am...

I will appreciate the small things in life...

I will continue to love others with all my heart, even if they don't love me with all of theirs...

I will never leave anyone feeling neglected...

I will always say I love you when I feel it because you never know when it will be your last time to see them (we always said "I love you" before hanging up)...

I will look back on the past and smile...

I will look at the present and smile...

...I will look toward the future and smile.


I love and miss you...

I feel you here, everyday.

Dreams of Dreams

I dreamed about Lauren for the first time in a long while. I didn't even remember it when I woke up but had a bit of a flashback from it during the day. There wasn't much of it left but I did remember some.....I saw her, she was smiling and peaceful. She was wearing something kind of like robes, maybe...it's hard to tell. I knew she couldn't stay long and I rushed over to see her. At some point she was seated. I sat down beside her and laid my head in her lap...I was sobbing. I was overwhelmed at getting to see her and hurting because I knew she couldn't stay. Then she was walking around and people started coming up to her from all directions. This following grew, much like I would think one might have formed around Jesus. I don't remember her saying anything at all, but she was peaceful, calm, pleasantly smiling. Everyone wanted to be near her. I think I may have been jealous at first, but then I knew I didn't need to be, she would have time for me as well. For some reason, I remember being under football stadium bleachers. We weren't really, but that was the idea I got. That was all I could recall. After I remembered that much of it, I tried and tried to remember more...but couldn't.

*****

Randy left Jamie to pursue Nikki....and now Nikki and Jamie are friends. Funny how that works sometimes. Jamie feels lost and heavy. I can clearly recall a time when I felt the same. I love her and miss her...and she knows. She said everyone will wear pink and green ribbons at Homecoming and they will observe a moment of silence. For the ECU game, which is also senior day, the powers that be are supposed to call Lauren's name along with the names of the other graduating seniors and have another moment of silence. God, I hope so. I really hope they do. But, it's Southeastern. I'm just not going to hold my breath.

I wonder how Jon and Sheila are doing. They should be moved into their new house by now. I hope all of that is going well. I am excited and sad for them. A new house is wonderful, but sometimes, moving on hurts and can bring doubt.

I would love for there to be a kind of public forum for friends to record and catalogue their memories of Lauren...One in which we could all contribute and all read. I'm not sure how that would work exactly or even if it's a good idea. I just now thought of it and so I haven't gotten too far with the details.

David is home from his gig now. I'll write soon.