I couldn’t tell you when I officially “met” Luke. It just seemed like I’d known him all my life, although in reality it was probably only about 5 or 6 years. But that’s how he treated people, as if they were lifelong friends right from the get-go. He was warm, welcoming, kind, handsome, sweet, always looking for the humor. Every time I saw him, he would be so happy to see me, and give me the biggest hug, as if we were dear old souls that hadn’t seen each other in TOO long! And I would feel so so at home with him, like I belonged there. It meant a lot to me, as I didn’t have many genuine friends, especially in the theater environment. He would pull me in as if sharing a secret, eyebrows a-wiggling, but then say the silliest things that would make me hysterically laugh. Just like his mom, he was such a light, loving presence wherever he went, that I witnessed people naturally gravitate to him every time he walked into the room. He was always surrounded by people of all ages, smiling and laughing. You couldn’t help but be pulled in too, and want to be, or go, wherever he was. He was so passionate and had such a vision for a better world and country for his daughter. I constantly wonder about the changes and effect he would have had, because he would have been a force of nature. I miss his warmth, his light, but most of all I miss the way he made me feel – welcomed, loved, and part of his life. It was a such a powerful, meaningful thing to me, and, in effect, I inevitably felt like I lost a brother. That kind of impact left a huge imprint on me that I will never ever forget.
Light and Love
[posted by Caitlin]