Your Coral Bows

About a month ago, a friend brought to my attention a letter to the editor that Lauren Astley's parents had written to the Wayland Town Crier. In the letter, they thanked the Wayland community for embracing their daughter's memory and celebrating her life by displaying coral bows on our mailboxes and entryways.  They also expressed their feeling that it was now time to take the bows down, as people felt comfortable.

After reading the letter, I decided to take our bow down. The bow was still in good shape, but it was beginning to fade from the exposure to the sun. Since then, I have noticed many faded and tattered coral bows around town. I know that the condition of these bows does not represent our feelings about Lauren Astley's life or memory. Even though I did not personally know Lauren, it is important to me that her memory live on in our town. And I know it does.

I did take our bow down but I did not discard it. For those people, like me, that cannot just discard the bow, there are a couple options.

On Tuesday, Oct. 18, the Walden Forum will take place at in Wayland at 7:30 p.m. A panel of dating violence prevention experts will host a discussion titled, "." As part of this evening discussion, a bouquet of all of the coral bows will be made to honor Lauren. The pastor at First Parish Unitarian Universalist has invited people to bring their bows to the church anytime before Oct. 18 to the front fence where they will be displayed until the bouquet is constructed.

Another option is to use the coral bow to tie your bread for Spread The Bread. On Oct. 22, the Wayland community will celebrate the 10th anniversary of Spread the Bread for national "Make a Difference Day." This year, students at are asking us to tie our bread with a note of "hope, inspiration or gratitude," and a coral ribbon to celebrate the life and giving spirit of Lauren Astley. As McKenna Kiefer expressed in the request, "Astley’s tragic death occurred this summer, but as a treasured and beloved member of our Wayland community, it is her humanity that certainly defines her legacy and reminds us all, once again, that although wounded and scarred, we can begin to heal our heavy hearts by honoring and helping others."

Whether you tie your bread with the coral bow or contribute it to the making of a bouquet of bows, Lauren's life will be honored and remembered by your actions.