Don't know why this came to mind, but on my drive back from Tucson today I was thinking about a few Christmases past, when I watched Austin peel a clementine in the kitchen. He meticulously pulled off every piece of pith from this clementine; it probably took him five minutes of doctoring before he would eat it. Jokingly, I asked if he ever ate oranges or if it was too much work and he laughed and said, "Oh no, that would take forever!" Missing you, cousin.
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This story is about my experience seeing Austin on drugs. You read correctly, drugs! Not recreational, of course. I am very lucky to have experienced my cousin while he was hopped up on morphine--because it was hilarious.
Gregg, Laurie, Austin, and Aidan would all make the trek down from New Mexico to Scottsdale, Arizona to celebrate Thanksgiving with the half of the family that resides in this part of the southwest. As kids, we would usually get pretty bored while the adults shmoozed or prepared for the meal, so my mother reserved a "bouncy castle" (or moon bounce, if you will) for us some years. I got a call from my mom one night telling me that poor Austin had collided with Aidan in the bouncy castle and broke his arm, and that he was in the Mayo Clinic emergency room getting the bone set and immobilized in a cast. I visited him later that night while he was still in the ER. He was lying on his bed, his arm in a traction device, babbling to us all about this or that. For you information, when Austin is drugged he verbalizes most of his very complex thoughts. When we had reached a lull in the conversation, Austin squeaked out "I wonder what the ratio of children who break bones in moon bounces is to kids who break bones doing other activities?!" We were on the floor laughing, "only Austin." While other children would be pouting and whining and pining for ice cream, Austin was theorizing statistical information pertaining to his current situation. We were maybe 10 or 11 years old. While there are so many memories I have of our families spending quality neighborly time together, the one thing I will always remember about Austin is his love for learning. When I used to babysit for Austin and Aiden, however many years ago, I was always compelled by not only his responsible nature (the only kids I ever babysat that never argued about bedtime!) but more remarkably, his movie selection. Of all the DVDs (VHSs?) to choose from, Austin would consistently select "National Geographic Dinosaurs" (or something similar). I remember being so impressed and compelled by this youngster who was always wanting to both acquire and share knowledge. Austin always exhibited wisdom well beyond his years. I am so heartbroken for all who knew Austin, myself included, but more so for those who will never have the chance. My thoughts are with you, Laurie, Gregg, and Aiden. What a tremendous tragedy. All my love and support, Jenn
Dear Laurie, Gregg, and Aidan, really, it's so difficult to find the words for describing the feeling I have in my heart.
I'm endless sad.I have never forgotten You all, how I've already written, you made our short living in New Mexico just more reach, and more beautiful. I was always very thankfull to Austin for being to Olga like soul mate. Please, take our condolences ! Jolanta with Peter As a child, Austin was a very finicky eater. Once, when the Hudson-Lapores were visiting us in Eugene, Gregg asked if I had any Ramen noodles in the house. I said, "I do, but I think the package has been in the cabinet for several years."
"That's okay," said Gregg. He boiled them up and Austin was happy eating the noodles.The next question was, "Do you have any ice cream?" Apparently Ramen noodles and ice cream were the only things that Austin, then age four, would eat at the time. I said we had some orange sherbet. Dubiously, we served up a small bowl for him to try and stood by expectantly.Austin, more kneeling than sitting on my kitchen stool stool, looked at the orange substance, took a small spoonful, and gave it a thoughtful taste. "Gee, I like this fruity ice cream," was his response. We were so relieved. There are a fairly large number of stories about Austin to relate, as you might expect from someone who lived life so fully. One recent, quintessential Austin-adventure occurred on a nice Saturday where we were to wander throughout Jackson park, aiming to picnic in the Japanese garden behind the MSI after obtaining bread and cheese at the 61st street farmer's market. On the way, Austin somehow noticed and then unearthed a tattered, battered cap from a bush; something that I wouldn't have seen, let alone attempted to resurrect from its leafy grave. But Austin was delighted by this black capless-cap, which consisted solely of the brim and the headband but no actual cap. It was utterly useless (from the point of covering the head) and deplorably dirty, but Austin happily wore it and walked around with it on his head for the rest of that afternoon. I can still see him so clearly, eating bread and cheese beside the waterfall in the tranquility of the Japanese garden, the light playing on the flowing water, bouncing off his grinning face and onto his head, not halted by the capless cap that amused him so. I did not get to know Austin as well as I wanted, having only met him the quarter before, but after the happy time that we did get to share, I would describe him as one of those rare, wonderful people who are actually content with life. To talk and walk and wander throughout the garden with Austin, clad in his ridiculous, unseemly cap, made for a perfect weekend afternoon. Thank you, Austin, for sharing that joy and contentment with me.
I didn’t have the privilege of meeting Austin although I feel as if I knew him. Reading his memoirs, it is evident that Austin touched the hearts of everyone who met him and although his life was tragically short he made a lasting impression to all those who knew him.
My sister Jo Batten was Austin’s nanny from a baby. An incredible bond was formed instantly not only with Austin but with his parents Gregg and Laurie and later with his sister Aiden. Jo herself was young and living abroad for the first time and was welcomed into the family as if she were their own. It was this unconditional trust and love that built the foundation of what was to become a precious long term friendship with the whole family. Jo adored caring for Austin and seeing him grow and develop and will always treasure those memories. It soon became apparent that Austin had a remarkable gifted and intriguing mind coupled with rare qualities of unquestionable thoughtfulness and kindness, which clearly grew with him. His passion of science was a natural progression for a person of such intelligence. As everyone, my heart is saddened by the tragedy that put Austin to rest so early, there isn’t an hour that passes that I don’t think of Austin’s family and his loved ones. May they take comfort in the memories of his outstanding achievements throughout each stage of his life and cherish them forever. Janine Morgan Laurie, Gregg, and Aidan,
Our hearts are broken. Austin was one of those kids you knew from the beginning was going to do great things with his life. We remember seeing his 3rd grade spelling sheet on your fridge and noting that, while other kids were mastering things like “house and mouse,” “angel vs. angle,” etc., he required “bioluminescence.” Clearly, not your run-of-the-mill 3rd grader! We remember the kids trick-or-treating together in the great costumes you came up with, and he was unfailingly polite to all the “treaters.” He delighted in learning and, as everyone has noted, never rested until he had more knowledge under his belt for the day. We, too, feel his loss, not only for his friends and family, who will be forever heartbroken, but for the world, which will not have the benefit of his intellect and passion. May your memories of him be of a blessing and comfort in the time to come. Before Laurie, Gregg and family moved to NM when Austin was 5, we had many good times living next door to them. Summers were the best when all of the families with young kids would gather in Laurie and Gregg's yard, bringing lawn chairs, to watch the kids ride up and down the street on their "bug bikes", trykes and foot-powered cars. We just read some of the comments by Austin's current friends and realize that even as a young boy he showed the same qualities of kindness, gentleness, inquisitiveness and genuine joy in his every day life. We are blessed to have known Austin and his family.
One of my closest friends is Jo Batten who lived with and nannied Austin in his early years. We (my sister Louise and I) were invited to stay with Laurie, Gregg and Austin (who was about 2 or 3 then) in the mid 90's. Coming from the UK it was my first time to the States and Laurie and Gregg made a great impression on us, their hospitality and warmth was incredible. Austin was a cheeky little chap and full of zest even at that age. He was undeniably the centre of all things and the love his parents had for him was evident to all of us; what a memorable stay we had with them. Gregg driving us around everywhere and Laurie introducing us to cranberry juice for the first time, which was so novel to us Brits. One night, me, Louise and Jo went out on a serious drinking session and all felt absolutely terrible the next morning. Austin woke us with his morning call and Jo looked at me and said how am I going to get up and do this? Next voice we heard was Laurie's 'Don't worry Jo, I'll see to him' Jo's prayers were answered as she rested her throbbing head back on the pillow. Laurie and Gregg, it was a genuine privilege to have met you and your son Austin. We were kept up to date by Jo over the years of Austin's progress through life and have been following the tragic events of the past week on an almost hourly basis. We are so sorry for your loss and we're supporting Jo to help our great friend through this time of grief too. Hope one day to meet you again. Love from England, Steve
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AuthorCollecting stories so that everyone can see who Austin Hudson-Lapore was to each of us. Archives
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