Hello friends. For the next week we will be posting a series of tributes written in honor Luke. If you'd like to write or suggest a tribute, please let me know. This one was written by Jim Granger, Luke's grandfather.
Dear folks: "Broken on Earth; Made Whole in Heaven" That is how Luke described himself to the campers at Young Life camp about a month ago. All of the work crew were asked to write about themselves on a cardboard (two sides) and this is how Luke introduced himself to "tell his story". The cardboard is now on the mantle of the house. I wanted to let you know the thoughts going through my head about Luke, some of which you know, others may be new insights: --To know Luke was to love him, so there is an emptiness already; I'm sad for what could have been, while being thankful for what was --Luke was a very special young man, ready for any challenge, the bigger the better --He was an intellectual, strategic, inquisitive --As a very young kid, when presented with a gift that needed construction, rather than pouring it out all over the floor and floundering to find pieces that fit together, he would first get out the directions...read them, and then begin to put the toy/structure together in an orderly manner. He could easily have become an architect, or an engineer --As many know, from the family reunion and other venues, Luke was a very talented magician. Among the many things over time that he became obsessed with learning about, magic was high on the list. He utilized the internet to find tricks and how to do them, then practiced for days and weeks in front of his mirror to perfect his delivery. He only performed them, even for family and friends, when he knew that he had the trick perfected. He wowed us all --He was a "natural" decision-maker...somehow he innately knew how to utilize the decision-making process to his advantage --He was a supreme multi-tasker, enough of one to sometimes drive me crazy. Playing a game, talking, checking his various electronic devices while also watching a program on TV. And, not falling short on any of these....while beating my pants off at whatever game we happened to be playing --Luke was a people-person, easily going up alone to strangers, or groups of strangers....and 10 minutes later it is like they knew him for years. For that reason he was a magnet for people, loved people and they loved him in return. He had loads of friends (his "crew/posse") and kept them all in his "sphere" --He was amazingly comfortable with adults from a very young age --He was a musician, learning quickly to play many instruments. Had a real ear for music, loved the piano mostly, but also the flute. In order to play in the school marching band last year, he learned how to play the vibraphone (similar to a xylophone) in about two weeks....and was stationed right in front of the Band Director as the band marched prior to the game and during half time. He loved the band and all the players. They wore yellow armbands all year on their uniforms in honor of Luke --He was a movie buff, and had an amazing critic's eye --Luke was a "games king" and loved any game that could be played competitively..from Words with Friends, to chess, to pool and ping pong, and the list goes on and on. His Dad was his closest competitor (except for the electronic games that he played with his friends over the internet), and they had many, many knock down, drag out competitions. Neither liked to lose! --Luke was very spiritual, a practicing Christian who walked the walk. He loved Young Life, Young Life camp and his last, greatest wish...which was fulfilled, was to be able to be on the Work Crew at TimberWolf Lake this past Summer. He was set up to work for four weeks, and was able to do it for just short of that goal --School came easy for Luke, almost too easy. In several grades he was bored most of the time, even though the teachers would give him extra work, higher level, just for him. When he could no longer attend school in person, they would send work home for him to keep up with, and a tutor to go over the tough stuff. He did that for almost two years, and kept up with his class enough to be able to move on to the next grade --Luke was a big picture guy, with that inquisitive mind, he was always one step ahead of most of us. He saw beyond the obvious. I could go on and on, but I know you now have a solid picture of my third grandson, Luke. We will miss him deeply, and I know that the world will miss him also. And Lord, especially now, please take care of our boy. We miss you Luke! Love, Jim
3 Comments
Sandy Booher
9/17/2017 11:56:15 am
Five stars for grandpa. Wonderful tribute.
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jill rumohr
9/17/2017 06:42:02 pm
You two had such a special relationship. Luke loved his Grandpa. Thanks Jim for your special words in honor of Luke.
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Joan schneeberger
9/19/2017 08:11:46 pm
So beautifully written from your heart.
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