Today is a bittersweet day. I find myself situated here in Parma, sitting on top of a privileged life. I am allowed not only to attend Pitzer, but to travel 6000 miles across the globe to a foreign country. And I'm here not just for the purpose of education but more so, simple fun and enjoyment. Most of the world's ~8 billion will never experience the wonders found beyond their own culture. Probably never get a chance to examine and understand the beauty of human diversity. Although trite, the realization never fails to hit me hard and fast: every day is a blessing. Pitzer is a blessing. Friends are a blessing. Semesters abroad in Italy are a blessing.
But after coming back from a weekend of wonderful food and multicultural convergence in Bra, I must pause and remember a person who embodied blessing.
Luke Rogers used to be a Pitzer student. He used to be a friend, a confidant and generally just a relaxed, chill presence within the extended Seattle and Pitzer communities. Once Luke was added to a scenario, his bold, wiry smile never failed to impress. Happy go lucky was an understatement when it came to Luke. While confusion with our summer storage unit hit all time highs in September 08, I was stressing a major way. Luke just looked at me and offered me a beer in his room to bring in the new school year. His unquestioning loyalty and pure love for new experience gained him respect and reciprocal friendliness across borders. When he smiled, we smiled.
One year ago yesterday the positive energy that Luke brought was inexplicably taken from us. He passed in a quick and painless manner, surrounded by good friends and good times.
One year ago we were different. We have lived a year without Luke directly in our lives. We are moving on. But we are moving on with a certain presence guiding us. He remains with us not as a living being, not as a drinking buddy or a beautiful face, but as a culmination of 19 years and a lifetime of loving interaction. Where ever I turn, I bring Luke with me and when we speak together, even when unrelated, Luke is there. Each and every interaction with Luke left an impression that will never leave our side. This is what we call a living legacy.
I'm doing a lot better than I was 6 months ago. I'm enjoying life. I'm enjoying being abroad for the second time in my life. And I'm looking forward to returning to the smiling faces of family and friends in Seattle and Claremont. I have always been hesitant and unsure with "I love you"s but I can say with certainty that I love this enigmatic life we are handed. Luke, to a large extent, taught me how.
Even when we break down as emotion overwhelms, we experience feeling as we are supposed to. We are living. We are laughing at his jokes, we are swooning at the melody of his voice, we are smiling at his unflinching charm and today, we are crying at his passing.
Luke Rogers
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