Category: Typical Luke

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I’d Probably Still Be On The Subway

[posted by Nicole]

A couple years back, I visited New York to see an old friend. Me, NOT from the area (clearly) decided to get on a subway with luggage to navigate from Grand Central to Times Square and over to Long Island. Lord, how naive. Anyway, I’m sitting on the subway and look over, and there’s Spencer and Luke standing there. What a small world! We said some hello’s. The subway doors opened and I was seconds away from being trampled, suitcases and all. Luke picked up my suitcase and proceeded to carry it through the subway station. Not even a second thought. I followed him and was able to make it to the next subway line safely. This has always stuck with me and I think about it often. I didn’t know Luke well at all, but that was the type of person he was. I’m so sorry to everyone. He was a spark of kindness in a busy chaotic city. I won’t forget it.

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The Mayor of St Joseph’s

[posted by Luke’s dad]

I have been reading the other wonderful stories written by some of Luke’s friends. I cannot put into words how thankful I am. Those stories have reminded me about something I thought I had forgotten. Many of the stories relate how in high school Luke would just walk up to someone he has never met before and make a friend. Well, you should all know, that was not something new that Luke learned. He had been doing that since he was very young. Luke was the only new student in his 1st grade class at St Joseph School in Millbrook NY. Every other student came directly from the kindergarten (Luke had gone to a different kindergarten). So they all new each other already. They all knew the school, the teachers, the principal, etc. There was only one spot left for 1st grade that year, and we got it. In October, when Julie and I went to school for parent/teacher meetings, we met the principal of the school at the time. Her name was Mrs. Cardella. When we introduced ourselves, she said, “Oh, you are the Mayor’s parents.” We were, of course, appropriately confused. So she explained to us, “We have all dubbed Luke ‘The Mayor of St Joseph’s’. He greets everyone he sees in the hallways. He knows the name of every teacher and administrator in the school already, and just walks around all day shaking hands, and saying ‘Good morning’, and ‘Have a nice day’ to everyone he sees.”