Communion of Saints

By Maggie Light, Senior at St. Patrick's

I do not know if I have the right to say any of what I am going to say. 
I found out this morning that Lauren Ford died. I was texting my best friend about how I was upset another friend of mine hasn't called me when my best friend told me that friend was probably struggling because of how close he was to Lauren. 
At first, I wasn't even sure who Lauren was. I hurriedly went to the Happening Facebook group and found a picture of her. 

I remembered her immediately. Everyone had been hugging at Happening, and I could've gone up and hugged Lauren, but I didn't. I just avoided her and found someone else to hug. 

Suddenly, I was overcome with this flood of emotion over what a terrible person I was. 
This afternoon, I sat in the YEA Room at St. Pat's with several friends, and I listened to them all describe Lauren, her Rihanna song tattoos, her snapchat stories, her shaving cream rap songs, and so much more. Lauren touched my friends' lives in a way that can never be explained. 

I didn't know Lauren, I didn't take the opportunity to know Lauren, but Lauren touched my life and changed my world all the same. 

One of the most beautiful things about the Episcopal faith is our belief in the Communion of Saints. Liz Beal Kidd described to us in that room how all those who have come before us stand at the altar with us and wrap their arms around us in our faith. Lauren stands at the altar with us. 

I did not know Lauren, I did not take the opportunity to know Lauren, but she touched my life and changed my world nonetheless. 
May angels lead you in, Lauren Ford. \|,,|