For Lauren (the fog)

The clock just hit midnight.
It's March 2nd.
Exactly a year ago, an old co-worker of mine, but more importantly, a good friend, passed away.
Exactly a year ago, I cried more than I have since elementary school.
Exactly a year ago, part of innocence was robbed from many of us.
People come and go from our lives as we endure on through this fog. Some of them come back later on to reminisce the great times we had, and possibly make plans to cherish even better times to come. Some arrive unexpectedly, out of nowhere, it almost seems. These people tend to leave an impact on us, as they can sometimes disappear and appear again and again until we know for sure that they were meant to be standing next to us, holding our hand and leading us through the fog. And some people leave when its not their time. They let go of our hand grip before we are ready to let go, and we feel lost and unaware of the next step to take. Luckily, we remember these people and the words they taught us to keep enduring.
Endure. To sustain without impairment or yielding. It's easier than it looks on a computer screen. That's what Lauren has taught us, and it's what she would want us all to do.
"The rest of those who have gone before us cannot steady the unrest of those to follow."
-Finding Forrester
Oh, Lauren. We'll remember the great times that we were blessed with her beautiful smile, her happy mood, and her amazing talent of always being able to have fun. I know I will.
Lauren may or may not have been the first person close to us to have left us. However, she will most certainly not be the last. Through the endless fog, remember to hold on to everything: to your family, to your friends.....to yourself.
Remember Lauren.
And to endure.