Losing her haunts and hurts me to this day, though it happened 30 years ago.
My singular, beautiful big sister. She was adventurous, tall, smart and funny. We were close. I looked up to her, and she relied on me. I don’t know the words that encapsulate what sisters have—the loving bond.
My son wants his Aunt Lauren; it’s painful and beautiful to hear him say it. He loves his sister, too, and can’t imagine losing her. And so I ask their friends’ parents: “Do you keep your guns locked up?” The first time I asked, I thought it would embarrass my kids, but they want to know.