Balloon release held for two Pocatello teens lost in a car accident
More than a hundred people gathered today at the Mountain View Cemetery in Pocatello to release balloons for Eric and Lauren Neibaur.
Eric, 15, and Lauren, 13, were tragically killed on Father’s Day last year in a head-on collision.
Lauren had a bucket list and among the desires was to fly into the sky, carried by balloons. At noon, she got her wish.
Hundreds of balloons were released into the cloudy skies over Pocatello, as family and friends gathered to remember the lives of the two teens.
People stuck around long after the release, sharing hugs and memories.
Isacc Ross, a cousin of Eric and Lauren took the time to reflect on his favorite memories of his relatives.
“For Eric, it was always when we played video games together,” Ross said. “And there’s countless stories that came from that, but I always loved just being able to play video games with him.”
When talking about Lauren, he thought of the inspiration she has brought him. “She just always was able to kind of be herself, and that was what I liked about her. She didn’t really care about what other people thought of her, she’s inspired me a lot to think that way too, you know, put yourself out there and not really care what other people think about you. Just have fun, and I think she taught me that.”
Eventually, the rain rolled in and the people rolled out. A day with a somber reminder of the past had brought smiles and closure to many.
