Letter to Luke--July 22, 2016

 

Luke–2016

22 July 2016

Dear Luke,

We became a family 10 years ago today. In Port-au-Prince.

You had spent eight months in a hospital in 2005. Where the Haitian nurses loved you and wouldn’t let you go. And where your little hands went up at just the right moment…

Maria knew you wanted to read and she taught you quickly. The Big Red Dog was your favorite. But most importantly she held you. All the time.

You were a smurf baby. And you liked to hear stories about Pastor Hal and Miss Chris and motorcycles and sharks. And you purred before you fell asleep at night with a full stomach.

So MANY people have formed you over the last 10 years. You are fortunate and blessed…and so are we.

And when I travel to Haiti now, kids about your age covered in black soot try and clean off my dirty windshield when I am stopped in traffic jams. They peer in the window at me while pointing at their stomachs. And all I can see is your face as I stare at them and wonder why?

The next 10 years will be very important for you. Will you be disciplined and focused? Will you study hard? But most of all will you be a good person?

Luke, you have been given this chance. The world needs you. Now is your time.

Love,

Your Dad

13 thoughts on “Letter to Luke”

1. Lisa Sonney

2. says:

3. July 23, 2016 at 12:13 am
   You wrote a beautiful tribute to Luke. He has grown into such a wonderful young man. I have been so blessed to watch him grow. You and Maria are awesome parents.
   Reply

4. Karen Schotthofer

5. says:

6. July 23, 2016 at 6:28 am
   John
   Your letter to Luke was Beautiful. I am sure that your’s and Maria’s influence in his life will set the tone for his future. He sees great compassion in your work, and that will definitely affect his outlook on life. He Is a very lucky young man.
   Reply

7. Micki Morency

8. says:

9. July 23, 2016 at 10:03 am
   Because I’m Haitian and I too escaped, I know how lucky Luke and I are. I’m constantly asking why me after more than 40 years. I hope Luke will not squander the opportunities to do and BE good. With you and Maria as stewards, I know the odds are in his favor to be an outstanding man like his dad.
   I respect and appreciate you and Maria greatly.
   Reply

10. Dixie

11. says:

12. July 23, 2016 at 1:11 pm
    Dr. John,
    God has blessed you in many ways, Luke being the most important blessing. May he fulfill the plan God has for him.
    May he feel comforted when he is missing you, while you are gone being Jesus to other children in Haiti.
    I’m so happy and proud to call you my friend.
    May you feel God’s presence today!
    Dixie
    Reply

13. John Carroll, MD

14. says:

15. July 23, 2016 at 6:09 pm
    Lisa, Karen, Micki, and Dixie,
    Thank you all for your comments, support, and friendship.
    john
    Reply

1. Marlene Papich Terrell

2. says:

3. July 26, 2016 at 1:56 am
   John and Maria…
   I have such great respect and admiration f0r both of you!
   You have said a resounding “Yes” to God’s call…
   I just watched a Mother Teresa video last evening.
   As the movie progresses…
   I feel smaller and…
   smaller!
   She truly was God’s pencil.
   She was small in irder to do His Will on earth…and
   Look what He did thru her?
   When I look at your life, your love and your surrender…
   Once again I feel small.
   Amen
   Reply

16. Marie Voss O’Connor

17. says:

18. July 23, 2016 at 8:37 pm
    John, you are such a wonderful humanitarian. Sr. Tranquilli would be so proud.
    I am so impressed with what you and Maria have done and will continue to accomplish.
    Best wishes for Luke and his future.
    Reply

19. David Way

20. says:

21. July 24, 2016 at 8:22 am
    John, if even half of your courage and compassion gets passed on to Luke, the world will indeed be a better place for it.
    Reply

22. Susan Schafer

23. says:

24. July 24, 2016 at 8:42 am
    John,
    You never cease to amaze me and your letter to Luke is beautiful. God is smiling down on you, Maria and Luke as a family!
    God bless you all!
    Reply

25. John Carroll, MD

26. says:

27. July 24, 2016 at 10:44 pm
    Marie, David, and Susan,
    Thank you for your kind thoughts and support.
    john
    Reply

28. David Volk

29. says:

30. July 25, 2016 at 10:22 am
    Let him know the blessing he has been to you, too!
    Reply

31. Colleen Konicek Hannigan

32. says:

33. July 25, 2016 at 4:18 pm
    How beautiful. Feeling blessed to have walked a short portion of this journey on our Camino. It was a gift to know each of you, even a little bit. May the journey continue with the grace, compassion and faith you have all shown to those lucky enough to have met you along the way. Happy Family Day! Colleen
    Reply

1. John Carroll, MD

2. says:

3. July 26, 2016 at 9:02 am
   Thank you Colleen. And I appreciate your podiatric skills on the Camino.
   john
   Reply