Thursday, July 6, 2017
Jaime was incredible. Reading her obituary I'm in even more awe of her. I'm deeply sorry that I wasn't able to make it up there last weekend, but I wanted to send a special note and moment that I shared with her several years ago. Seth and I celebrated many birthdays together since we share the same day. It was something I valued and a close connection to him and the family I was very proud of. On my 13th birthday I came to New Jersey to celebrate. Thirteen isn't an easy age for anyone. In fact, my son, Joshua, is turning thirteen this year, so this memory sticks out even more to me now. I felt awkward, unsure of who I was, concerned about looks and friends and typical teenage things. I had a wonderful visit where Becky took the time to teach me about makeup (real Department store makeup) and that the secret to thirteen was to wear it without looking like I was wearing it. After a day of shopping and a delicious dinner at Aunt Mary's house I sat in the living room with Jaime, who delightfully asked me about my day and how it felt to become a teenager. While I can't remember all of the details of our conversation, I recall one moment very vividly. A moment that was over 20-years-ago and yet advice that I reference often and have now shared with my own almost teenager. That evening Jaime shared practically perfect wisdom with me. She told me that one thing she had learned in life was that it didn't really matter what people thought of you or even how they treated you. What mattered in life was how you thought of yourself and how you treated other people. Simple words, simple advice, but as I got to know Jaime better over the years, advice that I came to realize she not only shared, but truly lived by. I regret that she probably never knew how much she and those words meant to me, but I know she'd be happy to know that her words, and her memory, will live on through a simple conversation with an awkward 13-year-old girl.
As I said, Jaime was incredible. She will be missed dearly and I thank you, Seth, for sharing her with all of us.
Love you all. Sending hugs and condolences from Colorado,
Lauren
