Little Living Angle is taken from the book, “Walking In His Shadow” by J.P. Howard
LITTLE LIVING ANGEL
Lauren Elizabeth Bain was my first granddaughter. She was born on April 8, 1981. Lauren was a beautiful child, inside and out, with the spirit of an Angel. She was older that her years as she showed unusual compassion to other children her own age or younger by hugging them if they cried or if they were scared. Her willingness to share her toys, or even give her toys to another child if that is what they wanted, and then find another one for her self to play with. She was a joy of a child to be around and to babysit when called upon.
It was on one of the baby-sitting opportunities that Lauren still had a low grade fever when we arrived. Her fever seemed to be hovering around 101 degrees, not too much to worry about we thought, and she felt only slightly warm to the touch. A baby aspirin, we thought, would clear this up in no time. But the fever persisted until Dianne and Peter came home. It would be several days later, after having her tested by the Doctors at Emory’s Elgleston Hospital for children that we would learn the terrible news. She had a childhood Cancer known as Neuroblastoma, stage 4. This was the worst news a parent could possibly receive. We as a family were devastated. Lauren was only four years old.
Dr. Jim Bain, Lauren’s other grandfather, knew all too well what this disease could do to the body, and being a stage 4 made it very urgent she start receiving medical treatment immediately. For the next seven years Lauren would receive the very best treatment that medical science had to offer. She even was treated with medicine that would not be ‘on the market’ until years later. This was due to Dr. Bain’s connections (he taught at Emory Medical School where he was vice president) and his extensive knowledge of medicines. Over this seven years Lauren would receive two ‘Bone Marrow’ transplants, an operation, chemo treatments, and many, many x-ray scans of her small body.
The family was lifted and encouraged on several occasions when she went into remission. Her hair would begin to grow back and her strength would return. She even played on a girl’s soft ball team – much to her delight. Then the dreaded news would be announced that her cancer was once again overtaking her little body. Back on chemo, another Bone Marrow operation, and more x-rays. Once again she would start loosing her hair as well as her physical strength.
Through all this Lauren never gave up hope. She never complained, why me? She faced the pain with an attitude of ‘let’s get it done’. Her love of people was greater that her feeling sorry for herself and her pain. When the treatments were not making things better, Lauren, with a smile, would apologize and say, “I’ll try to do better the next time”! She felt bad for disappointing everyone; she thought if only I could try harder. That was the kind of love she had for her family.
That was the strength God gave her. She was stronger than any of the family members; she taught us how to endure. She taught us how to love. She made our troubles seem so small.
After seven long years her weakened little body could not take any more. As she lay in her bed at her home, with the family at her side, she closed her eyes and went home to be with the Lord. It was May 24, 1992. She was only eleven years old.
Our little angel, Lauren, is now with her father in heaven. I write this with the confidence and assurance that God has opened the door to heaven to welcome her home into his kingdom.
“Then some children were brought to Him so that He might lay His hands on them and pray; and the disciples rebuked them.” But Jesus said, “Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
Matthew 19: 13-14