To my very cherished daughter Lauren:

When their child is born, all parents say that they are perfect. Early on November 17 1980, after we counted Lauren's fingers and toes, we noticed that her eyelashes were unusually long for a newborn. It was then that we knew that she was more than perfect.

Lauren was easy to raise as a baby and little girl. Not that she was without challenges. She always wanted to go to bed when we did and not before. This made it tricky on Christmas Eves.

She brought us so much laughter. The family was gathered on vacation and we were are all sitting around a table eating chips and dip. Lauren was not able to reach the dip so someone picked her up and held her over so that she could partake. She promptly sneezed. Her godparents, Woody and Helene taught her how to say some words with a New Jersey accent. The Sesame Street character "Gwover" was her favorite.

As first time parents we made our mistakes. One year we bought Lauren a gumball machine for her room. It had the little knob to turn and out came a gumball. One night Lauren came down and was complaining that her stomach hurt. We went up to her room and there were remnants of chewed gumballs everywhere. Sticky bedsheets and all.

Lauren attended McDonogh school in Owings Mills and had the distinction of being one of "The Bakers Dozen' the few students to graduate after thirteen years there, after McDonogh introduced pre-first..

Lauren made the most of her years at McDonogh. She was a cheerleader. She won the Stewart award for excellence in the performing arts in her senior year. She coproducer a senior benefit concert that was a bit hit.  She even tried Rugby and that did not go very well. She helped managed the boys lacrosse team. She hung out a lot with the Lacrosse team, which kept me on my toes. She received multiple offers from colleges. They recognized that Lauren would make for a student that would give her time not just in academics but for the entire educational experience.

She loved animals. When she was 6 she participated in McDonogh's after school equestrian riding program. One day she asked me if she could have a horse of her own. Big decision. Thinking that she will lose interest I told her that when she turned 12 then she could have a horse. Guess what. She counted down the days.  On her 12th birthday, "Dad now can I have my own horse"? Along came Bob. Bob was one the biggest horses at the McDonogh barn and Lauren loved him dearly. We held our breath every time he went over a jump at a show.

Throughout the years she always had either a dog, cat or multiples of each. She and her husband, Mike DeSalvo, had 11 children. They were their 2 dogs and 9 cats.

Her compassion was not only for animals but for people. She worked for years as a medical assistant in various clinics. She would give patients comfort and care that they needed. I have nothing but respect for those that work with patients that have both physical and mental challenges. This job can take its toll on anyone.

Mike, Lauren saw in you a loving and caring husband. The two of you shared a bond that no one else could share.  You celebrated the good days and persisted through the bad days. Lauren was a better person because of you and we are thankful to you for being there for her.

Lauren is now with God in heaven with her grandparents, Woo, Gene and Elsie and great grandmother Laura. All of those that she had touched will miss her and we will look forward someday to reunite with her.

Lauren tragically passed away on July 27. She was 44. She leaves behind her beloved husband Mike, her mother and father Susan and Larry Porter, her brother Alex, and uncles Mike (Susan), Chris Marsh, her mother in law Macel DeSalvo  and her Grandmommie June.

Mike was a highly decorated veteran so Lauren will have the privilege of being interred at Arlington National Cemetery. The service will be private and at a date as yet undetermined.  We will cherish and be blessed by all of the years that God allowed.

Your loving Dad.

In lieu of flowers, please remember Lauren with memorial contributions to the Wounded Warrior Project , P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675.

Online condolences may be shared with the family through www.peacefulalternatives.com.