Below are ideas to honor Luke on or around August 19th. After each idea, there is an explanation you can copy and paste, customize, and print to give to the person/people for which you are doing the act of kindness. You could also write your own explanation instead. Don't forget to email thoughts or pictures to gwilliams_137@yahoo.com or laurasmeby72@gmail.com. They will later be published to this blog, given your permission of course. Thank you!
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1) Bring muffins/ cookies/ juice to your local ER for
the nursing staff, since Luke was enrolled in nursing school.
“Today, Aug. 19th, would have been (our brother/son/friend’s…) 34th birthday. He passed away this year. He was a certified recovery specialist striving to help the drug addicted find peace and a better life. He was also in nursing school full time wanting to eventually use his skills to minister to the physical pains of having an addiction. Sadly, he did not overcome his own addiction. Please remember today that every individual you see means the world to somebody. Happy Birthday, Luke!
(Learn more https://august-nineteenth.blogspot.com)”
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2) Luke received the high honor of being an Eagle Scout. All who knew him growing up remember him smiling in his scout uniform, working on his Pinewood Derby car, and being really smelly and sunburned after a week at scout camp! Contact your local Boy Scout Troop to ask if they are in need of supplies you can donate. Additionally, when it’s Boy Scout popcorn selling time this year, buy an extra box and surprise someone with it (family member, stranger, or send to the troops overseas). That is exactly the sort of thoughtful thing Luke would have done.
For Indiana, PA, contact Troop 29 pwccrtroop29@yahoo.com
Monetary donations can also be made in Luke’s name at http://aplacetogive.scouting.org/."
“Today, Aug. 19th, would have been (our brother/son/friend’s…) 34th birthday. He passed away this year. He was an Eagle Scout, attended the Boy Scout Jamboree, collected unusual and exotic badges, and helped the community in many ways throughout his scouting years. It is an honor to help your troop in his name. Always keep striving to do your best for God and your country, to help others and to keep yourself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight. Thank you for your perseverance in upholding the Boy Scout mission. Happy birthday, Luke!
3) Once as a child, Luke had a dream that Jesus
gave him a Snickers bar. His joy in
being an altar server for many years reflected that youthful and genuine faith.
Go to your local parish and drop off a bag of Snickers.
For Indiana, PA, it’s Saint Bernard Parish 200 Clairvaux Drive.
“Dear Altar Servers, Thank you for your service! Our (brother, son,
friend) was an altar server for many years. He passed away this year, and today would have been his birthday. He truly learned how to give of himself so that when the time came, he
responded with a yes to Jesus’ call. We
pray for you to always remember that service is the greatest way to peace. Enjoy a treat in memory of Luke Williams
today. Happy birthday to him in Heaven!
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4) Luke loved Gatorade. Many people would think immediately of Luke if they saw a bottle of Gatorade. Buy a few 12 packs to drop off to your local police station.
For Indiana, PA, it is 80 North 8th
Street #104.
“Dear Officers, we are so grateful
for your service. Many years ago, two
responders came to our home to help Luke Williams escape from a van seat. No, the seat was not in a car, nor was it
a child’s car seat. It was the kind of
van that had removable bench seats.
While it sat on the porch, Luke climbed on top and closed it on
himself. Unfortunately, the design would
not let it lift back up unless it was closed the whole way which couldn’t happen
with his body there. Everybody had a
good laugh over the situation but when it became clear he was really stuck, 911
was called. The officers who came were
kind, calm, and quick to help. Luke
passed away this year. In his memory,
please enjoy his favorite beverage. Happy birthday to Luke!
5) Many people remember Luke doing odd jobs,
especially with the skills he learned in community, building and all kinds of
manual labor. Use whatever you know to help out a family member, friend, or
neighbor at no cost. Tell them about Luke and ask them to pay forward the act
of kindness.
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6) Luke was known for making amazing enchiladas,
delicious risotto, and authentic tiramisu.
To remember his birthday, make one (or all!) of these dishes for your
family. Everybody share a memory of Luke
and one thing they would like to do to bring more light to the darkness in this
world. Hopefully we will be able to collect Luke’s actual recipes and share
them on the blog. Please let Laura know
if you have one of the recipes at laurasmeby72@gmail.com.
The
tiramisu recipe is found on the back of BelGioloso Marscarpone cheese. Skip the
cognac/ brandy. Use Schar Gluten free
ladyfingers to make the recipe gluten free.
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7) Countless people were affected by Luke’s death. Send flowers to his fiancee, Desiree, and her daughter Bella or call his parents or siblings (Contact gwilliams_137@yahoo.com or laurasmeby72@gmail.com for contact info). Check in to see how it’s been going. Make sure no one feels alone.
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8) If you can, get together with
others to play a card game (Rummy and Phase 10 were Luke’s favorites) and
cherish the time spent with one another. Those moments are so precious.
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9) Reach out to someone who you haven’t
talked to in a long time. Luke had
friends from every stage of life. To
know Luke was to like him. Remind your friends how much you care.
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10) Go to daily Mass, confession, adoration, and/or
pray the rosary. One time Luke shared
that adoration was like going to the beach. You would just need to sit in the
sun in order to feel the warm rays and become tan, just like being in God’s Son’s
presence fills you with graces. Pray especially for the respose of Luke’s soul
and for the Blessed Mother’s protection on all his loved ones.
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11) Attend a Nar Anon meeting, which is for families
of addicted people. There is encouragement and support found there even for
those who have lost their loved one.
In Indiana, PA go to Nar Anon
Gardeners for Growth (Open Door) 665 Phil. Street in Atrium 2nd
floor Wed. 7:15 pm.
If you struggle with an addiction,
I encourage you to go to Narcotics Anonymous Open Door 665 Phil. Street
Saturday 12 noon.
12) Get a tattoo or something else permanent and
visible daily in remembrance of Luke and the man that we will always miss.
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14) Send a donation to one or both of the
organizations that were essential in Luke’s addiction recovery and spiritual growth.
Comunita Cenacolo America http://www.hopereborn.org/ (click on
donate tab)
15) Simply forgive someone who's hurt you or apologize to someone you have hurt. These things are part of the 12 Steps to Recovery, though they can be helpful to every individual. Check out the 12 Steps here:
http://nasfv.com/bbs/ARCHIVES/Steps_Traditions_Concepts/steps_traditions_concepts.html
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Thank you all so much for honoring our brother with any little action on this list or otherwise. Any other act of kindness or way to remember Luke is welcomed. Don't forget to send thoughts and/or pictures of your acts to Grace at gwilliams_137@yahoo.com or Laura at laurasmeby72@gmail.com. God bless!
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Thank you all so much for honoring our brother with any little action on this list or otherwise. Any other act of kindness or way to remember Luke is welcomed. Don't forget to send thoughts and/or pictures of your acts to Grace at gwilliams_137@yahoo.com or Laura at laurasmeby72@gmail.com. God bless!
I went with Suggestion 9 - reach out to someone you haven't talked to in a long time. I called Dutch Abram. I lived with Dutch for two years when I lived in Germany, way back in the 1980's. I remember telling a friend that I worked with at CTC, that I was overdue for calling Dutch. I haven't worked at CTC since 2012, so I've been thinking of doing this for at LEAST 5 years. When you live with someone for 2 years they become almost a brother. Dutch was an usher at my wedding. So I first called his cell phone, but it was disconnected. I still had his childhood home phone, his mom answered and she gave me his current cell number. He was at work, but I left him a voicemail. He called me back this evening. We had a GREAT conversation. There was so much catching up to do. His father had passed away, and he's lost three close friends in the past couple of years. On the brightside, his daughter is expecting a child in late January, so he'll soon be a grandfather. We reminisced about some of our wild times. Dutch was one cool cat. He certainly had a wild side, but he told me he hasn't had a drink in 5 years and he goes to church every Sunday with his mom! I told him about my family and how Nick married Grace. I told him about Luke and how because today was Luke's birthday and the blog, that gave me the impetus to call him. It really was rewarding.
ReplyDeleteSo to the Williams' family thanks for such a great idea. It made my day. As long as I live, I will remember Luke and what he meant to your family.
~Bill Capone
Thank you so much for sharing that, Bill! It does feel so good to talk to a good friend.
DeleteWe visited Luke's grave...pray, pray, pray! Kim & Kevin Dodds
ReplyDeleteYour support for our family is so appreciated! Thank you and God bless!
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