Hi Baby, happy Halloween! We missed you so much.

This day in last year was the last day before becoming terribly sick. You had so much fun to do trick or treat with your sister and friends. I hope the time can stop that day, so you would never get sick ...

I am so so sorry, baby, we didn't take good care of you. 

These songs remind me of you. 

https://youtu.be/KWuyx6yZ21U?…

https://youtu.be/8zna5gSQ7xI?…

https://youtu.be/WKZO-CWeOVA?…

I'll add more when I think of them. 

Mother's day in 2024

Hi Luke, It's again Mother's day 2025, we have sent wishes to mom and gramma for you. We missed you.

Luke,

It’s been a while since I sat down and thought about you. Your laugh, your voice, your smile. But right now I just can’t stop thinking about you.

Next week is finals week, and surprisingly I’m not super stressed like I thought I would be. Maybe it’s because I’ve planned my time out better this semester, I don’t know. For some reason the lack of stress stresses me out even more, like, why am I not stressed when I should be?

Anyway, I went to therapy for the first time this week. I don’t know if you know what that is, but basically it’s a place where you go to talk to a therapist about your problems, and the therapist helps you find out why you’re struggling so much and what you can do to improve. The session was kind of scary, but also really insightful.

I miss you a lot. I don’t even know why. Maybe it’s because I’m so scared of something like this happening to my family, but I really wish I could go to your house right now and see you. I love you, Luke, and I honestly don’t care if I get into Harvard, as long as you are happy. You don’t have to worry about me.

Hi Luke,

Yesterday was your 10th birthday. Happy birthday, baby.

We used to have cakes, candles, and wishes every year—but not anymore. We tried to avoid thinking about it this day, but we couldn’t. We all miss you so much. We don’t know what to do.

I went to the same park at Peachtree Corner with Miranda and Sarah today. It was sunny and clear. I watched kids playing, running, yelling, chasing. It was loud.

But I felt alone.

I remembered every single weekend we spent here—how much you and your sister loved it. The laughter, running, spinning, jumping, chasing, sweating… even hurrying you to go home. I’ll never forget any of it. And I’m terrified of forgetting even a second.

We saw Ms. Mita in her basement after Miranda’s art class, like always. She said you’d always ask to go up to her house to explore and knew everyone there. She joked that you were like a puppy—her “third kid.” We were so touched that your absence has left such a hole in her family’s life. They loved you deeply, that bright, happy boy. They grieved hard when you left.

Funny thing: grief has made us all quick-study actors. We’ve mastered the art of the five-second meltdown. One stray thought of you—your laugh, your hospital socks, the way you’d say “Mama, watch this!”—and we’re sobbing in the cereal aisle.

The cruel joke? We’re getting too good at it. The triggers multiply. The tears come faster. Practice makes perfect. It’s like those storms in your brain—how they kept raging while the doctors shrugged. I’m so sorry we couldn’t stop them, sweet boy.

Maybe we’ll start a grief circus. “Watch these parents crumble on cue!”

I don’t know why I’m writing this. The words won’t bring you back. But neither will silence.

Happy 10 year old birthday, baby! We all love you. As always.

Luke,

Sometimes I feel guilty for being emotional about you. I mean, I didn’t even really know you, how can I be sad about it? It’s like I’m intruding in a space I’m not supposed to be in, if that makes sense. It’s so unfair how I can be mostly fine when I don’t think about you, but others are the opposite.

I’m sorry for everything. I don’t even know. I wish I could’ve just been a better person and tried to know you more when we were together, instead of turning away because I just suck with kids. But I know it’s not good to regret anything, so I’m working on that.

Yesterday we told your little sister what happened and it was really sad. I felt so useless and guilty. Maybe I’m being a hypocrite. I just want to be helpful, but it feels like my help is more unwanted these days and whenever I try to help I just make things worse.

What do you think? Should I try harder, or try less, or just stay the same?

Anyway, enough about me. How are you doing? I hope your journey went well. We all miss you and we’re trying really hard to cope, but I think we’re all just scared. I don’t know how to support anyone. I’m more of like a silent brooder type of person, so when I feel bad or others feel bad I just need to be alone and quiet. So I’m really bad at comforting people because I just don’t know what to say. Even your sister is better at social interactions than me already and she’s ten years younger than me!

When we join you, please don't forget about us. If Miranda is the moon, you are the sun, Luke. Never stop shining.

Dear Ding Family

I am so sorry for your loss. I have never met Luke but I came across Luke’s obituary in looking at a friend of ours. And I felt moved to share with you a message that has helped me in such a sad and difficult time. Death is the oldest enemy for mankind and it takes our most beloved ones away from us. I have found comfort in knowing that soon Jehovah our God will rid us of death. 1 Corinthians 15:26 says And the last enemy, death, is to be brought to nothing. Ridding us of death will be such an exceptional blessing, but God will not stop there. Acts 24:15 talks about a beautiful hope that will bring many of us joy. A hope that many of us can find joy in…the resurrection. We will get to hold our loved ones again. God promises it. I hope that in such a difficult you can find comfort and strength to endure till the day we can see our loved ones again!

We remember Luke, my wonderful student. (Rest in Peace, 2/20/2025, 9yr old)

I really miss you, Luke.. Rest in Peace at the God’s place where no more pain…❤