Lauren Bartlett

EDITOR'S NOTE: The following is from the October 2006 issue of the Heart to Heart Newsletter

Lauren was our much anticipated first child after ten years of mar-riage. Her sister, Sarah, was born just 19 months later, and at the time, Lauren was not yet walking. In some ways it felt like having twins.

We started therapy programs with her at age 2 as developmental delays became more evident. At age 3, we went to see a cardiologist because a heart murmur became mort pronounced. The doctor suggested she be seen by a geneticist, because he suspected that she had Williams Syndrome. I will never forget the day that Lauren was diagnosed with WS. In an instant, our lives were changed forever. I was devastated, and it took me well over a year to fully accept and come to terms with it. It then became my mission to do all that we could to help Lauren live a happy, healthy and rewarding life. We were on a journey and there was no looking back. I did not know then, what a wonderful journey it would be.

It was our goal to expose Lauren to as many things in life as we could. She did more in her short life of 16 years, than many do in a lifetime. Fortunately, we had the ability to take her many places, including Disney World, Bermuda, California, Grand Cayman, Quebec City, and the Grand Canyon. She was a good traveler and enjoyed herself immensely. She went to Washington D.C. in the 8th grade with her class and I was told she conducted herself beautifully. I was the envy of all the parents when the kids arrived back at the airport, and Lauren ran to me with a big smile shouting, "Mom!" and flung her arms around me. She had that way of making you feel like the most important person in the world

Lauren also went horseback riding, had swimming lessons and took ski lessons. She had a kayak and loved to paddle around and fish. She also went ice fishing, and would drive her cousin's four-wheeler around on the frozen lake which gave her a sense of freedom and independence. She loved feeling the wind in her face so it's no wonder she loved being on a jet-ski, riding a scooter, or riding with me on our bike for two. And I got such pleasure in seeing her enjoy herself. She especially loved jumping on her trampoline with her sister and the neighbor kids.

Lauren was involved with Special Olympics, the Shaped Clay Society at school, and a group in our  community called Dreamcathcers,  a social organization for older kids, which meets once a month. She was very much a typical teenager, complete with braces on her teeth and an i-Pod attached to her ears. She liked boys, loved shopping at the mall; going to movies, listening to music, having her nails done, and going to dances at school. Lauren was blessed to have friends in her life who would go places with her and come over to our house. She was gradually becoming more independent and wanted to be like everyone else. And I was learning to let go and give her that freedom. Thank goodness for cell phones! Lauren had a love-hate relationship with things that scared her. She was fascinated by sharks and the weather. She would tell you anything about tornadoes or lightning and her desire was to someday become a storm chaser. I never told her she couldn't.

Lauren's symptoms seemed less severe than most, except for her heart condition. At age 5 she underwent her first heart catherization, and at age 14 she underwent open heart surgery to correct defects which put her at risk for sudden death. Of course, it was a very stressful time for our family, but Lauren came through fine.

"I'm not giving up." That attitude saw her through many difficult times. After the surgery she had no restrictions on physical activity and  was less tired.

This year on Valentine's Day at age 16, our lives were once again changed forever in an instant. Lauren was having a great day in school. She was in gym, which was her favorite place to be. The PE teacher is young and handsome, and she was very fond of him and the older boys who volunteer to help in that class and the weight room. Tragically that day, Lauren's heart failed her and she couldn't be revived.

Lauren was a young lady with a big heart, literally and figuratively, who won the hearts of everyone she met; and whose passing was on a day that signifies hearts and love. I believe there is a message in this.

Lauren used to occasionally like to read a book I gave her en-titled, The Next Place, by Warren Hansen. It is a beautifully written and illustrated story in rhyming format, which teaches that death is something beautiful and not something to be feared. I know that she was prepared spiritually for her next life because of that book and her faith. Lauren loved to go to church and pray, and had a close relationship with God. She was particularly concerned about the less fortunate people in the world. She would pray for them, and told me that she'd give her life for them.

Lauren had that wonderful WS smile, and loved people! She was well liked at her high school and in our community. We witnessed such an out-pouring of love and support from so many people after her death. She taught us all what unconditional love means and her memory will live on in our hearts forever. What a blessing she was in our lives! We have all been changed for the better. Lauren is so missed by her family, friends and pets, especially her dog, Chase.

Lauren will forever be our valentine.

Written by Gail Schwab

To donate to the WSA in Lauren's memory, click here