Laura Bailey Peetros 1964-2014

When you really get down to it and think objectively… 90% of what people get all hot and bothered about…. Just really doesn’t matter that much in the grand scheme of life.. Don’t sweat the small or even medium stuff.. It’s not worth it. –Laura Bailey Peetros

She was so many things to so many people and I have been blessed to be one of those many people. It all started about 7 years ago when we “met” online in the same due date group on the mothering forums for those due with November 2007 babies. Laura from the very start was as helpful as anyone can be. She was kind, clearly smart, and I think everyone befriended her quickly. I loved that she was a well educated woman and that we shared a lot of same medical opinions. It wasn’t all rainbows though, we didn’t always agree. Over the years I came to love her as a dear friend who challenged me and helped me grow and someone I would do about anything for. I trusted her to tell me the truth when I needed to hear it, even if I didn’t always want to, and I trusted her to push me past the easy things and to do the hard things and question what I think I know.

She was so supportive to so many and her love for others and her goodness has spilled forth for weeks as we learned she would leave this world and since her passing. I had no idea just how much love the world had for her or how many lives she touched. Our mutual friends all have stories to share, some I had never heard of and some I didn’t know how deeply the connection went.

I have shared my own deep connection with Laura with many as of late and I wanted to share it here too. This blog is my space to share things about my life and I hope someday my children can look at all this and make connections to. When my little November baby was failing to thrive I was at wits end. I tried about every herb and medication known to man to help with lactation. I had hypoplastic breasts but didn’t at the time know it. Laura didn’t let me give up. She sent me herbs and remedies to help and then she did something amazing, when I couldn’t fully breastfeed my own baby she pumped and shipped her own milk to me to give to baby to make sure my baby got the best nutrition possible. This might be strange to some but those who have been in my shoes, those who know the facts about breast milk and possible danger of formula feeding should understand what a gift it was that Laura sent.

When she was diagnosed with Cancer I didn’t ever believe that she wouldn’t beat it. She was one of those people who do it all right and she knew her stuff too. Sadly genetics won out and she lost her battle. What a battle it was though. For years now she fought hard and most days she was busy helping others. She didn’t want people to focus on her Cancer and I tried hard to just be her friend and distract her from it all when ever I could. She would tell me how much she appreciated that I didn’t treat her like glass. She said I was one of the few people who would disagree with her and not just tell her what she wanted to hear. She made it easy though, she is one of the rare people who can disagree with you fiercely but still love you. She was such a blessing and she is missed by so many. If you do a google search for her I bet you will read more accounts of lives she has changed and you will see more photos of her beautiful smile. She has three sons and a husband she loves dearly and my heart is with them as are so many.

Her last words to me: 

Oh kimmy I love and treasure you so and I love most your honesty and openness thank you so.. I adore our conversations.. You are a treasure. All is possible. ALL I fully respect all of your ideas and opinions thank you for being in my life.. Love you

I love you Laura and I miss you more than words can express.