The Sun

In 2013, there was ZERO chance that a successful 58 year old Jewish man ever thought he’d be inviting a 35 year old brown guy to join him and his partners. (I wish I could say that in the less politically correct way in which we joked about it!)

I, like so many Sklar Wilton & Associates past and present, am forever grateful for the business oasis he has created and allowed us to build with him. I’m even more grateful for his coaching advice, his friendship advice, and his fatherly advice.

I once told Luke that he was like the Sun. He was a fireball of passion and had this insatiable energy. His intensity perked up your day and you wanted to feel that heat. It made you feel more alive.

Like the sun I’m not sure he always understood his reach and his impact. All the people under his light (associates, partners, clients) simply felt warmer, better, more alive. And when we were outside the light (after the meeting or after the day), we yearned for it and looked forward to it again the next day.

I also reminded him that sometimes if the sun focuses too hard on one person or thing – it can get pretty damn hot under his spotlight. I felt that burn once. And for the record sunglasses and sunscreen won’t cut it!

Luke,

I’m grateful that while you grew up in a business era where it would have been easy to focus on money, power, prestige, you chose a humbler path where those are outcomes versus goals. This is part of your ever lasting legacy.

I’m grateful to you and our other partners (Charlie, Jen, Sarah) for making me believe this is the only kind of partnership that exists out there. I know it’s not but what a world it would be if it was.

I’m grateful for our chats at Chipotle. Sharing with me your journey to have a family, and supporting me while I struggled to start mine.

I’m grateful that the last time I saw you was for a surprise SW&A baby shower for my wife and I. It’s not lost on me how hard it was for you to attend and how happy I know you are for us. Please keep an eye on my sun son from above.

I’m, however, not grateful for the time you beat me at the SW&A ping pong final after having hip surgery and then never giving me a re-match. That was just cold.

I choose to celebrate your life right now, and give a small nod to the lack of understanding that exists around the DISEASE of depression.

And I’m comforted that at SW&A – tomorrow and always – the sun will come out tomorrow…and the day after…and the day after that.

Luke’s Story Luke’s Top Ten Ode to Luke Mental Wellness Condolences