There are those of us who loved Lauren and were blessed in how she graced our family. Many of you were her friends, or acquaintances. Perhaps you may only have known that Lauren was a daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, or first cousin to an Interess, a Geiselman or a Landis. Yet others may have come simply because you were touched by this tragic loss.

Receiving diploma from Winchester High School

Since graduation from Winchester High School, Lauren has spent a large portion of the past five years away from Winchester and Eastern Massachusetts. During this time she blossomed into a very special young woman. For those who have not been in regular contact with her since she left our community, I would like to reacquaint - or in some cases, acquaint - you with Lauren - partly because her loss is being felt so far beyond our area.

I suppose I could start by listing a bunch of adjectives to try to describe her. But most of you already know them anyway: radiant, unassuming, independent, loyal, intelligent, happy, thorough, motivated, moral, loving… That's like drawing a pencil sketch when Lauren's life was painted in oils.

Let me tell you about Lauren.

Most of us have experienced the college application process on one or more occasions. It's a hard time, trying to find the energy to figure out what schools fit our skills, likes, wants, self image and so on. How far from home? How big? College or university? Which to visit? When? First choice, second choice ? What are my chances of getting in? How many applications? Early acceptance?

Parents have to do their best to make sure things happen timely, prodding the would-be applicant all the way. But not Lauren's parents. Before we even knew when the deadlines were, Lauren gave us one assignment -- to select some dates within a well-defined time frame to accompany her to a certain list of high quality schools. Our only other real function in the entire process was to write the application check and to rejoice in her early acceptance to Williams College.

Lauren was special.

Montana Field Camp

She loved nature as a blessing from God. She chose to be a vegetarian out of respect to His creatures. As a science teacher she could share what she knew of nature through her formal education and especially through her real experiences. And she constantly looked for opportunities to find these experiences, both during and after her years at Williams. She learned about the outdoors everywhere she went, camping, snorkeling, canoeing, sailing, hiking, climbing.

Her life's journey took her to diverse places. As a family - sure, we went as tourists to Florida, New York, Washington, and coastal California. But during her last five years, she sought out and found adventures researching and studying at:

Indeed, these were different places than the ones Mom and Dad had thought of.

But Lauren didn't just go to these places and do what she had to do. She explored at - and beyond - each of her immediate sites to the full extent that her free time would permit. She found adventure in seeing, interacting with, and learning about nature's splendor in all its forms.

At each of these places, including Williams College itself, she made lasting friendships that she nurtured -

• through email over distances that ensued,
• through in-person visits, whenever one of their travels made that possible, and
• through the non-occasion gifts of the hats and mittens that she sewed or knit and sent to friends all over the country.

I have had the opportunity to read some of Lauren's correspondence with her friends. Their interactions were genuine and showed incredible respect for each other. She chose her friends well. And from some that we've heard from this week, they felt blessed to know her as a friend.

I was touched by a recent response Lauren sent to a former colleague in Bermuda:

Tagging turtles in Bermuda

"Hi Norm,

"To begin with, I graduated from Williams with a BA in Geosciences in June '98. Since then I've been teaching at a few different environmental and science education centers, including the '98-'99 school year, and presently, at the Desert Sun Science Center in Idyllwild, CA (southern, inland, mountains). The program here is called Astrocamp, so much of the focus is on astronomy and physical science, with a good sprinkling of challenge/adventure activities tossed in. Plans for beyond this school year are as yet undetermined, but may include classroom teaching - we'll see!

"I still think of my time as an REU at BBSR (and it was truly an experience, not just an internship) as one of the highlights of my college career and my life so far. Those 12 weeks are ones I'll never forget. And, it's fun every time I wear my BBSR T-shirt - I get lots of comments, questions, and jealous looks!

"So that's me in a nutshell. Hope all's well there and the hurricane season spares the island!"

One of Lauren's most recent adventures was her cross-country trek, returning to Idyllwild after a summer stint in Vermont. Having purchased her first car during a brief stay with us in Winchester this past June, she couldn’t travel as light as she used to. She had to take the car to California with her.

This well researched and planned trip epitomized so much of what was Lauren. She departed Winchester by herself destined for Juliane Austin's home in Greensburg, PA, where she stayed the night. The following morning, the two of them left for Jed White's place in Milwaukee, where they explored and vegged for a couple of days. Then it was off to Nebraska for Lauren and Juliane where they camped over night. Next , a couple of days at Meg Lawson's in Boulder, Colorado for more friendship, nature and fun. The high road from Boulder took the two adventurers through Steamboat Springs, over the continental divide and into Utah near the Dinosaur National Monument. They camped and dropped Juliane at her destination near Salt Lake, leaving Lauren to go solo the rest of the way via Southwestern Utah.

Photo by Lauren in Zion National Park

You guessed it - Zion National Park. Lauren was limited to only a quick drive-through in the few extra hours she had. As she wrote to one of her friends, "Utah was amazing (it snowed on me once!), especially the southern part. Geology-wise, Zion was heaven on earth. I wish I'd had more time there, but I'm sure I'll go back."

Despite the obvious temptation to camp there alone, her wisdom put her in a motel room this last night before returning home to Idyllwild.

There is a meditation that I suspect Lauren never read. But she lived her life as if she read it daily.

"Welcome alike the day and its labor, the night and its repose; throw yourself into the waters of life and swim bravely and without anxiety, for these waters are native to you; you were born to swim in them."
Lauren relished what life offered her and treated it as an adventure.

"Accomplish what you can; endure what you must; understand what you may - and this do for yourself, but not just for yourself: do this for yourself and others."

Lauren loved nature. And she dedicated herself to teaching others about what she loved.

"In your prayer and in your love, your doubt and your fear, seek out the still clear voice within you."

Lauren had an independent spirit. She was motivated.

"Look inward for an answer to prayer. Find courage there, and endurance; find insight there, and the knowledge that you are part of the divine creation.

Lauren sought out and found pieces of heaven on earth.

"Know that love gives meaning and purpose to your journey. May such love be the fruit of your prayer."

Lauren cultivated lasting, meaningful friendships. Wherever she went.