In Memory of Loren

On this day last year, a phone call interrupted a quiet morning over coffee and brought me the kind of news you never want to receive.  On the way to work, my friend Loren, a respected Sheriff's Deputy and newlywed of only a few months, had been killed in a collision.  [For Loren's story, go here http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=176301469 ] As the anniversary of this event neared, his widow Jamie considered many factors when making her plans to mark this day and make her plans to celebrate New Year's Eve.

 

What she arrived at, was very much in keeping with who Loren was as a person.  A group of us took a trip to a senior center to bring some joy to the people who live there.  We chatted, played board games and cards, and simply spent time with the residents.  We wanted to try to give of ourselves to try to put something positive into this day.  Loren was very generous with his most valuable resource he had: his time and effort, himself.  So we strove to honor that in how we remembered him.

 

Here are some snapshots of our day...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jamie brought her Pomeranian, Gracie, who circulated around the room at regular intervals, tiny tongue hanging out, absorbing as much attention as possible, and putting smiles on everyone's faces

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Although this was technically an outreach on our parts, I can tell you that it was NOT a chore to spend time with these precious people.  Many of them were very bright, humorous, and a joy to be around.  Several hours flew by before we realized it.  With our youth and health and ease of coming and going, it took so little for us to do this, and yet we felt like we received the benefit.  Life is short, and time is precious.....  I feel good about how I spent mine today.

 

Loren, we love you and we miss you, but we are smiling through our tears and keeping you alive in our hearts by focusing on who you were instead of how we lost you. 

We will not forget.  We will treasure every day and celebrate each moment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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