My sister and I had always been so very close. Our family had been close. I think too because our dad was in the ministry alot of times and in different situations Laura and I only had each other. I grew up knowing she had my back and she was my very best friend. Many years, we shared a bedroom so the talking and giggling would go into the wee hours of the night. Even after we had separate bedrooms, more often than not Laura would come get in bed with me. We both loved to play the piano and sing. We loved to sing together. That was something I was not prepared for after her death...I couldn't sing. I could still play the piano but every time I tried to sing I would fall apart so I quit trying. It wasn't until 5 years ago the Lord gave me my voice back. I have sung a few times in the past 5 years with my sweet little family. That was a blessing!
Somedays it still seems so real and I can recall the events around that time so clearly other days it seems so unreal and I know that's Gods way of protecting me and healing my heart. Things still 23 years later can catch me off guard and I miss Laura tremendously. I smile whenever I remember her and how she could make me and so many others laugh. She continues to live on through my children which is such a gift. My middle daughter Lauren, who is named after Laura, looks alot like her and has so many of her same features and mannerisms. My youngest Natalie has the same carefree spirit and sense of humor as my sister. What's so amazing is they never knew my sister yet I think the Lord allows some of those sweet reminders in our life to help in the healing process. My oldest son Tyler was just 3 months old when Laura was killed and I KNOW he was my gift from God. Because of him I had to get out of bed everyday as I needed to be mom and care for my precious son. I was always so thankful that Laura did get to meet Tyler and spent many hours holding him and loving on him.
Someday we will be reunited in heaven and for that I am so grateful! Laura knew the Lord as her personal Savior and her faith was such a real part of her daily life. I know my faith in the Lord is what has pulled me through...I could never have imagined living my adult life without Laura. There are many times when I'm still frustrated as I long for my sister...to hear her voice and see her beautiful smile and I'm sad I never could be an aunt or my children didn't know their Aunt Laura. It was hard becoming an only child. I do not pretend to understand God's ways however I can rest in Him and know He will always be with me and continue to mend that part of my heart that was so broken after my sister died.
The picture at the top of this post is her Western Baptist College ASB card picture that my parents received in the mail after her death. It is one of my very favorite pictures of her. She was such a beautiful vibrant person who loved life and especially loved her family and her friends and most of all her Lord Jesus Christ. The outfit she's wearing in this picture was something I bought for her that summer she started her freshman year at college. I loved it on her because it made her pretty green eyes stand out!
She will always be in my heart and I will cherish forever every moment I had with
my sister...my Laura-padora!!!
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