Unite to Light Ghana

What are you doing at noon today? Is there such a thing as a random meeting? Perhaps someday somehow someway, when we are standing back far enough to see it all at once, we will see the totality of some master plan that explains the synchronicity of certain moments, how any event no matter how small is connected to all others, causes ripples far beyond its confines.

I take you back to the Luke's Lights event Nov 2, 2019. Katani, as she has for 7 years agreeing to come grace us with a sing-along, call-and-response LET IT SHINE. Asking if she can this year bring a new friend from Ghana, Surama King, a teacher from the Tema International School in Accra where Newton South High School is starting an exchange program. “Sure,” I said. “Of course. The more the merrier. More Light. Always.” I had NO IDEA that visit would morph, blossom and **explode** into something so significant, so powerFULL that I’ve been living jaw agape for weeks, swallowing stars.

Unite to Light Ghana was born that evening with a benevolence and an energy and a love that bowls me over. Students Luke’s “age” who never met his spunk are saying his name. The “Dream Big. Do Bigger.” words from his last journal are emblazoned in gold on Tshirts they are wearing. Such goodness has been awakened! Love in action. Tonight TONIGHT these young people who Luke would’ve loved to dance with will be hosting their fundraiser to light their world in Luke’s name. Right this minute as I type this, given the time change, they are getting ready, checking last-minute details of their event. Getting dressed in the “white with a touch of sparkle” dress code.

#hey Luke, at about noon today, they—high school students on the other side of the planet—will be holding a moment of silence for you. And your mom will look up at the skies and weep and laugh and marvel at miracles born of misery. At how random-not-random this all feels... Light and Love and Luke.