Lauren Elizabeth Drummond
Photo taken by her Poppy on August 14, 2011
Taken from us on August 15
She was so full of life, from the moment she was born. Full of intense curiosity and intelligence, she wanted to be in the middle of every conversation. Her smile was radiant and at times mischievous. She liked to get her own way, and often if she got the better of me, she would say "You're the best, Grammy!" She loved Princesses and pink and animals and dancing and music, and so many things, everything, really, about life.
How is it possible for a child to be laughing and happy after a day with her family and her two dogs, spent at the park where they had a picnic and fed the ducks...how can she be here one minute and the next minute be gone? Her daddy stopped to let a deer cross the road as did other drivers on the opposite side of the road. This young woman, herself a mother of young children, will forever have to live with the fact that her inattention took my wonderful granddaughter's life away forever. There were no skid marks...she never even slowed down. She had just left a funeral and was on her way back to work. Even though Lauren and her brother were secured in safety seats, the impact of the crash drove her seat forward as her daddy's seat broke and collapsed backward. The surgeon did everything he could to put her back together, but there was just too much trauma to her brain. Her mommy, who herself is a registered nurse/nurse practitioner, knew at the scene that it was very, very bad, but hoped against hope that she was wrong.
Lauren will be laid to rest beside her Uncle Joshua, who she never got to know. She will be wearing a beautiful pink dress, a pink hat, in a pink Princess casket, with her dog Molly's ashes tucked in beside her.
52 comments:
Susan, I can't begin to know the full pain of Lauren being taken from your family, but I was moved to tears yesterday when speaking of the loss. My heart truly goes out to you. What a perfect picture you were blessed to have taken. Lauren was a lovely child.
Dear Susan, my heart goes out to you. I cannot express how sorry I am and saddened I feel over this senseless loss.
I feel so terrible Susan. What a bright light in the world your grandbaby was. I wish I could be there to offer whatever comfort possible to help you get through this devastating time.
All my love,
Natashya
When you hurt, I hurt.
Love to you.
Too sad, Susan. I am sorry, and scared, and too sad. My deepest condolences for all.
I will picture her in a princess casket, in her pink dress and hat, and with her doggie's ashes, and resting with her Uncle Joshua, whom she never met. Two precious souls, gone too soon.
I love you so much.
I've written a poem for you, my dear friend.
mrs drummond my heart breaks for your family. i could not imagine how painful it must be. find solace in knowing you are all surrounded by family and friends near and far that love you and will help support you through this time and that she will forever be on that beautiful hillside with her beloved uncle, also dearly missed.
with love and peace, greg, corrie, and tyler harold
My heart is breaking for you and your family.
I love you. That's all I know to say.
This is all just not fair. Just not fair. I am crying for your family and Lauren's family. So unbearably sad and unfair.
I know it took strength just for you to sit and write this post and I'm not sure how any grandmother digs deep enough to find it when so much has been taken away.
Thank you for sharing this with us.
Love you my dear bloggy friend.
Di
I am so sorry for your loss. She is such a beautiful child and I know was such a blessing to your family.
I will be praying for comfort for you and your family.
Swiftly, I add that I I will picture her for a few moments there . . .
. . . and then I will picture her nestled at your side, in the most beautiful photograph imaginable of the two of you.
Susan,
What a beautiful little princess she is. It must feel very dark when such a light leaves your life. I pray that time will ease your pain. My heart and thoughts and prayers go out to you and all of your family.
My heart is in a thousand pieces over this. She is a precious little angel, and what a treasure that picture is. I'm just devastated for you and your family. Thank you for letting us know what happened.
I am visiting from Ruth's blog. I am so, so sorry about your loss. I type with tears in my eyes as I cannot imagine the pain you and your family are feeling at this time. Please accept my sincere condolences.
I'm so sorry for your loss - I'll be praying for you & your family, and for Lauren's bright pink soul...
All day long, you have been in my heart and prayers. I wish... I wish so much. Comfort. I wish for comfort for all of you who are aching.
Your compassion for the woman who was responsible for Lauren's death is admirable. There are many victims of this accident.
I too have come zto share what comfort I can having read ruths beautiful poem and having felt the sorrow. My heart cries for you and your family.
Susan,
I am so very, very sorry for your loss, your whole family's loss. This makes no sense. It can't have sunk in yet, even though you write the words. Sorry doesn't seem like a deep enough word for this. Take care; we'll be here when you come back.
This is one of the most beautiful photos I will ever see. You both look so happy and obviously in love with each other. This is the way she will always remain...loving and happy.
Life just isn't fair Susan
Hugs
Is everyone else ok?
Tears are flowing for you and for Lauren. I am so sorry for your loss. I wish there were words that would help, but I know there aren't. Sending a heartfelt hug your way.
Susie,
It's taken me this long to understand and connect the two dates under the photograph. It has taken away my breath.
I know all of you will understand that I can't answer each one of your comments. I just want you all to know that your love and heartbroken compassion for me and my family means the entire world to me. I have read your words many times and they bring such comfort. Lauren would have been so excited to know that so many people think she is beautiful....she was a vain little thing. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, my broken heart, for your love and kindness. I truly hope that I will never, never, never have to return that kindness.
Love, Susan
No words can express my sorrow for you, or the pain of seeing such a perfect, poignant photograph of the two of you.
I pray you grace and growing peace for the hard, hard days ahead.
http://onesmalldailypeaceofart.blogspot.com/
Susan, today 8-18-11 I'm sending you a special message of Peace for you. It's like a "poem" made with paint. Thinking of you and Lauren.
Shedding tears for your princess. Thank you for finding the strength to share - I hope it helped you through the initial grief. We are all here for you. Love you.
I went to High school with Jaye and haven't seen him since our reunion, but have kept tabs on him through Facebook, and I just wanted to truly offer my condolences. I have a little girl and every time I think of this terrible tragedy, it makes me tear up. I wish there was something that could be done to make everything better. She was a beautiful little girl.
Susan, I read about your family's loss through The Blue Ridge Gall and just had to come over to offer my heartfelt sympathy. There are no words when an event this tragic happens but please know that there are many of us, some you know and some you don't, who are thinking of you and praying for healing and peace for you and your family. Heaven welcomed a new angel this week way too soon for her family. May memories of special times bring you comfort in the days ahead. God Bless You, Leslie in Rhode Island.
I don't even know you or your family but reading your words makes me feel sick to my stomach. Such a beautiful child, so loved, so full of life ... such a terrible tragedy. I'm sure the other woman will never forgive herself.
My heart goes out to your family at the loss of Lauren.
Oh, my dear Susan, there is no greater loss than that of a child. One so beautiful and loved makes it all the more challenging to cope with such a loss. And really, there are no words. Just know that you have my heart, my prayers, my tears, my deepest wishes for peace and healing.
Lauren WAS Life itself. I'm so glad you had that last visit with her. My own granddaughter is five and loves all the things Lauren loved. I'll cry with you, Susan, and for your Family - your hearts must be breaking.
I could only picture my beautiful little grand daughter Elise and wept while reading. I just don't know how you can deal with such sorrow and yet, having to be strong for her parents and brother. I am so very, very sorry.
I'm so sorry to read about your family's unthinkable loss. There is no greater heartache. I wish you and yours strength. Here from Blue Ridge Gal.
I just learned of this loss through Blue Ridge Gal Blog. I can't begin to tell you how sorry I am for this devestating loss.
What a beautiful child. What a terrible loss.
I am so very very sorry.
Words are useless.
I am sending a prayer for you and your family.
Retired Knitter
So very sorry.. I am devastated for you, and I don't even know you. Completely heart breaking, gut wrenching, and unfair. I'm praying for you and all those that love her. This will be hard for all of her loved ones, but she is ok now. She is in a good place. She is not hurting.
Lauren is beautiful. You are beautiful. And strong strong STRONG. No words. Just tears. And hugs. And love. Many many hugs, and much love...
You're in my thoughts ...
My heart hurts so badly for all of you. To lose a child and a grandchild is a tragedy beyond words and my heart is breaking for you. I think about Josh all the time and he kept popping into my mind that day and I had no idea why he seemed so present. Then I heard the news about your beautiful Lauren. I am so, so sorry for your loss.
ds is so right: strong, strong, strong. After spending yesterday and a few hours today with you, and David, I feel . . . strengthened and reassured, by you. Your grace in such a time brings me to a place of praise and gratitude. I love you and David so much.
May the hours and days ahead bring you increased hope and love for each other.
(Thank you for the sidebar.)
Susan, you do not know me but I am a blogger friend of Sandy (You've Gotta Read This!) and when she mentioned this terribly tragedy, I just felt like I had to stop by. I am so sorry for your loss. As you said, is is so hard to understand how a person can be here one minute, and gone the next. I will continue to pray for your family.
Thinking about you tonight...sending a hug.
Heart aching still and thinking of you daily.
You've often been in my thoughts, Susan. Lovely slideshow.
Susan, I am so sorry that I have been so behind in my blog reading that I am only now becoming aware of this horrible tragedy. My heart goes out to you and your family. I know from your blog how much you treasure your grandchildren. I will be praying for you all.
Susan:
I learned this sad news on Bella's blog---I have been so out of touch with blogging of late. Please accept my heartfelt thoughts and prayers for you and your family. It's the face of an angel nestled on your shoulder in that photo.
Much love and peace to you,
Mary
Flat Rock Creek Notebook
Thinking of you ...
I think about you every day.
Susan, Your post is so beautiful. I am so very saddened by your loss! I think about you and your family each and every day, and hope that some healing will come over time. Love you my friend!
Still thinking of you and your family. I came by to look at the picture of you and Lauren. I love the smiles on your faces.... such beauty radiates from both your eyes!
Peace, Judy
Oh Susan....I'm so very sorry. I just don't even know what to say as words are no good here.
I have been away from blogging as you know. I feel your pain and heartache for this precious child who was taken from you. There are no answers to the many questions we have. Please know that I'm praying for you and yours as we all try to cope with the difficult moments in our lives. Only God understands and we must give it over to Him. Hugs hugs hugs to you dear friend.
Cora...from one Grammie to another Grammy.
Susan, I came across your blog through a means of pure fate and it has touched me incredibly to hear of such loss. Your writing is a reflection of your stregth and it's inspiring. Please know that your courage to blog has touched people around the world. And although I have never met you, please take comfort in knowing that I am sending you my very best wished. For you and your son especially.
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