You can check out pics of Lauren’s altar for Dia de los Muertos/Day of the Dead (a Mexican holiday – folklore/tradition says that the gates of Heaven open at midnight on November 1st for all the children that have died to be reunited for the day with their loved ones. The following day, the adults come down to earth to celebrate) at the link below on Tumblr.
Category: my story
Lola’s Bucket List – Run the NYC Marathon
While this wasn’t exactly on the list, I know that it would have been something that Lauren would have loved to have added to #LolasBucketList
Our dear friend Scott ran with #FlatLola on the back of his cape, “On the wings of an Angel” ❤ in her memory ❤
My friends never cease to amaze me! Thank you Scott! xoxo
#LoveLikeLola #TeamStupidCancer
Lola’s Bucket List – Get My Port Removed
Nancy is my hero. While we weren’t able to physically make it to Florida back in July for NB to help us out with #LolasBucketList, she continues to amaze me by crossing more and more items off the list.
Lauren wanted to get her port removed so badly. Though I tried to avoid the conversation, she knew deep down that it would be 1) too dangerous for her to go under any general anesthesia to remove the port and 2) we might (and we did) need to use it to administer medication at some point.
Thank you Nancy for taking Lola along with you!
Highlight Video from Lola’s Celebration
Tuesday marked two months since Lola passed away (GOD I hate that term, but “died” isn’t a word I will EVER use because she DID NOT die). The days are longer than ever and I often find myself lost and confused. It still seems very surreal. I tried to unpack and reorganize all of her stuff and I got as far as opening the lid of the first box. I’m not ready.
I am still getting messages from complete strangers on how Lola touched their life or my favorite, testimonials that she has been visiting more people than just me ❤
My mom will be going back to Texas soon and I hope to get a part time job before she leaves. I am not afraid of being here in the house alone, but others are … go figure. So between the creation of The Love Like Lola Foundation and a part time job to take up my time should be just what the doctor ordered for my own personal grieving process. I am so psyched about getting started on the foundation and carrying on Lauren’s legacy, something she was very passionate about.
Below is the video link to the “highlight” slideshow of Lauren’s Celebration of Life … better late than never right? =) As far as I can tell, the video is NOT available via mobile (sorry, copyright infringement issues on the song I chose to play at the end). It will be best viewed on your laptop or PC. Thank you to everyone who came out to honor Lauren. The Celebration was amazing and literally standing room only. A special thank you goes out to both Erin McHugh and Allison Pack for organizing the #EatLikeLola potluck and to everyone who brought one of Lauren’s favorites food items. (We are STILL eating pudding cups!!!) I’d also like to thank Nicole, Alyssa, Sierra, Lexi and Jason for your GREAT “Lola stories” and kind words and Avery and Eldon for their beautiful performances. We were so touched by all of you.
Tribute Video
Below is the tribute video that we played during Lauren’s Celebration of Life — it was originally about 50 minutes long, so I have broken it down to three different videos. I know they are long (about 15 mn each) but so worth it. I really worked hard on getting the right music to go along with the pics. Enjoy =)
Part 3 may not be available (as of this writing) via mobile because of music copyright laws. I have disputed it (usually resolves within 24 hours or sooner). So if you can’t view via your iPad or smartphone, please check back later or change over to your computer/laptop to view.
I will be posting pics and video of the celebration itself after I get everything in one place and have some time to compile it all.
#LoveLikeLola
Swim With Dolphins
Thanks again to Nancy Beth, who marked another item off of #LolasBucketList and honored her on the day of her Celebration of Life by swimming with the dolphins at Atlantis!
Thank you NB for always remembering to #LoveLikeLola and for honoring Lauren’s memory by helping her with complete her bucket list. You are an amazing and awesome friend!
More Yoga on the Beach
This is from Team Lola’s Facebook page
From Maya:
Lola, your life is an inspiration. Thank you for helping me live life to the fullest. I know this was already done but here is one for your beautiful bucket list, YOGA ON THE BEACH!
Thank you Maya!!! #LolasBucketList #LoveLikeLola
Get MORE tattoos
We met Tamara and her daughter Marti, who is fighting CML, at the Stupid Cancer OMG Summit back in April. There was an automatic connection! We stayed with them while we were in OC/LA and the girls bonded so quickly and made a life long friendship!
Tamara has a mini white board on her fridge, so of course Lauren had to leave her mark. Marti took that “signature” today and had Dan Smith, of Captured Tattoo in Tustin, tattoo it on her.
We met Brad and his parents in Reno through NNCCF. Brad is a cancer survivor. Lola and he became friends over text messaging and social media. He designed a tattoo in her honor as well as getting one similar to the infinity sign she had her on wrist.
Thank you Marti and Brad. Lola would be so amazed and humbled, as we, her family, are ❤
Go to the Fun. concert
When Lola first posted #LolasBucketList, a few awesome people contacted me about getting her tickets to a Fun. concert. What they didn’t know is that what she meant was “live long enough to go to the Fun. concert that she got tickets for on her 16th birthday in May”. Tyler and I took care of that for her last night =) It was definitely bittersweet, and I had to choke back the tears, but we had a blast!
Please bear with me while we are still in the process of unpacking and such. I use my PC for graphic edits, etc. and it has yet to get setup — so I can’t “cross” stuff off of her list until I get my PC up and running.
Lola’s Final Resting Place
The “book” is Lola’s urn. Every single word/phrase on it embodies all that is Lola. A week before we left for George Mark Lola received a package from our friends in NYC that contained a hot pink/black outfit complete with a tutu, feather boa, beads and sunglasses. While she wasn’t able to wear the outfit, I used it all when I made this shadow box to protect her urn. I know without a doubt that she LOVES it.
Love Like Lola 