Happy Birthday Luke

Today is my brother Luke's 30th birthday. At least in my time zone. In Israel, where he is, it's already tomorrow. I'll go ahead and say my nice things about him anyway :)

When we were little kids, Luke was my first friend and buddy. I especially remember building lots of couch cushion forts together and when we were a little bigger and living on Kings Row, building a real fort in/around a tree in our backyard with whatever wood scraps Dad brought home for us.

In high school I loved watching Luke play basketball and baseball. Basketball was the important one and he always did well, but he was just as natural of a baseball player and it was fun to watch him play and have fun since there was less pressure than basketball season. Shane and I got to know eachother during my freshman year of college by driving up and down I-5 to watch Luke and Shane's brother Jonathan play basketball.

Then Luke got a full ride scholarship to play basketball for the University of Oregon and he became a hometown hero, an instant legend, a person everyone wanted to see, to talk to and to love. Even though I think fame defined a lot of Luke's life in those days, I still think that without it people would have always admired him and wanted to be around him because he is so darn funny. Even our dad, who is hilarious, will pick up on some of the funny things that Luke says. He used to tell me not to tell Luke that he stole his jokes.

After one of the best college basketball careers that the U of O has ever seen, Luke got drafted to play basketball in the NBA. He has played for the Cavaliers, the Celtics, the Raptors, the Heat, the Clippers, and the Blazers. It's cool that he has had these experiences and I love listening to the stories about the things he has seen and the people he's met, but pro basketball doesn't define him. Who he is now is so much better. He is married to a really great girl and you can tell they have a genuine love and he is a great daddy to Cole. He takes good care of his family and works hard. He doesn't complain despite pain from his many injuries.

Luke is one of my favorite people to be around. He's a fun Uncle to my kids and I respect the way he cares for his family, the way he provides a place for our Grandma to live and the way he works through difficult circumstances pursuing his dreams.

Happy birthday Luke! I'm glad you're my brother.