Story by Sybil Ottenstein
I met at a Shabbat dinner of a mutual friend in Tel Aviv and it was soulmate friendship at first sight. Two American girls living in Israel, Lauren new to the country and me already having been there for quite a few years, I welcomed Lauren into my world, and after a few short weeks, it was impossible to imagine life without her. Our most beautiful moments were always by the water, where both of us were most alive.
Knowing Lauren was knowing life at its most extreme. Maybe she needed the water because she was pure fire – the brightest and most intense of all lights. Our friendship was one of the most powerful and influential experiences I have ever known, and her death has quite literally transformed my life. She taught me how to truly feel, how to love, how to fight and her speciality – how to express. Lauren was on a constant mission to learn herself, love herself and spread her light to others. More than anyone I’ve ever known, she was constantly seeking growth, nourishment and ascendance.
Losing Lauren was losing a best friend, a sister and a mirror. She is my angel and I miss her every day.
