Family, friends remember Lucas Cawthorn

“When I Must Leave You” by Helen Steiner Rice

When I must leave you

For a little while-

Please do not grieve

And shed wild tears

And hug your sorrow to you

Through the years,

But start out bravely

With a gallant smile;

And for my sake

And for my name

Live on and do

All things the same,

Feed not your loneliness

On empty days,

But fill each waking hour

In useful ways,

Reach out your hand

In comfort and in cheer

And I in turn will comfort you

And hold you near;

And never, never

Be afraid to die

For I am waiting for you in the sky!

In Latin, the name Lucas means “bringer of light.” 

To know Lucas Martin Cawthorn was to know love. To know Lucas was to know kindness. To know Lucas was a blessing. 

On Friday, April 15, Lucas’ light was extinguished, when he died in a motorcycle accident on Stoneybrook Parkway. 

A car pulled out in front of Lucas; he was traveling too fast on the bike to stop. The police indicated he almost missed the car but hit the back left bumper. Lucas was thrown almost 150 feet, over the fence and through the trees, landing right by the State Road 429 westbound off-ramp toll booth. He was life-flighted to Orlando Regional Medical Center, given blood and CPR on the flight, but he could not be revived. 

The police could not find mother Mara Abraham-Cawthorn’s contact information, and it took hours before she was notified. When she arrived at the hospital early Saturday morning, Lucas was gone.   

But, his light lives on in his family, in his friends and in the West Orange community, because truly, to know Lucas was to know light. 

A JOY FROM THE GET-GO

Lucas was born to Cyrus Cawthorn and Mara Abraham-Cawthorn Oct. 2, 2002. Lucas was the family’s second child, behind Sophia, 22, and before Ian, 14. 

“Lucas was a joy from the get-go,” Abraham-Cawthorn said. “From when he was very young, he was funny, loving, joyful, a peacekeeper and so very happy.” 

But what everyone first noticed about Lucas was his smile. 

His huge, bright, brilliant smile illuminated his face and every room. 

Kelly Glassburn, friend of the Cawthorn family for 10 years, said that is something she always will remember.

“He had the gentlest of souls, the wildest curly hair and the biggest smile,” Glassburn said. “As the boys got older, Lucas was the only one in the group who would still hug me with gusto. All the rest shied away, rolled their eyes or ignored me. Not Lucas. He was just a gem.”

Lucas was talented at more things than one could count. He played guitar, piano and was immensely creative. He loved cars, Chipotle, soccer, drawing, music and everything in-between. 

“He liked life, and he liked doing things; anything he wanted to do, he made it happen,” Abraham-Cawthorn said. “His life was short, but it was full, meaningful and full of love.”

Lucas lived every moment of his life to the fullest — going skydiving, surfing in Hawaii, getting a tattoo, buying a car and selling it for a motorcycle, and experiencing his first love when he lived with his girlfriend for a few months. 

Abraham-Cawthorn said she knows in her heart Lucas is in a better place and he is loved, protected and supported — just like she is here. 

“But I miss you,” she said of her son. “I miss your smile, the sound of your voice, your sense of humor, your willingness to help, your silliness. I felt that you were there for me, ready to help me and protect me. I hate that I will not see you grow up and get married. I hate that I will not be able to hold your babies.” 

Abraham-Cawthorn said she held Lucas for about two-and-one-half hours when he was first born. When she was pregnant with Ian, she had bad morning sickness, and Lucas would help care for her. Lucas was only 4 at the time and would bring her a handful of Cheerios and a cup of water to her nightstand.

Lucas held doors for strangers, helped his mom carry in groceries and always had a kind word — even for strangers. He loved planning surprises for his girlfriend and helped to take her to and from work, in addition to financially supporting himself. 

Abraham-Cawthorn shared she was reserved about Lucas getting his motorcycle, because she had a friend who died in an accident. 

She said she told Lucas a hundred times to “please be careful,” and that if he died, her life would be over. To which he would say, “I know, Mom. I promise. I am careful.”  

Now, Abraham-Cawthorn said she will overcome the pain and live life to the fullest. Her son showed her just how short and fleeting it is.

“I am going to enjoy every minute of it,” she said. “I will take the trip, eat the cake, dance and laugh. I will take a million more pictures and show Sophia and Ian that there is life after this. I am going to live happily to honor your memory, for you to rest in peace. I am grateful beyond words that I got to be your mother in this lifetime.”

LIVING LIFE LIKE LUCAS

Soccer was a huge part of Lucas’ life. 

Glassburn said she met the family through soccer. Lucas; her son, Tyler; and a number of other local boys all played for the same team for many years. She said the boys were like a band of brothers, even though many went to different schools or played for different teams. 

“Lucas and his family became a part of our family,” Glassburn said. “It is a hectic and busy life for the players and the parents, but one that forged forever bonds for Lucas and the other boys, as well as for the parents.”

Abraham-Cawthorn said Lucas grew up a lot in the past year. 

He graduated from West Orange High School in 2021 and was taking classes at Valencia College for business. Abraham-Cawthorn said Lucas was smart and always knew where he wanted to go in life. 

Jessica Stokes, the journalism and video production teacher at West Orange, said Lucas was a large part of her journey at the school and made a huge impact on her. 

She said she remembers Lucas’ smile that immediately put his peers at ease, how he was hard-working, dependable, kind and friendly — all while being reserved. 

“He was the kind of kid (who) was always himself, unapologetically,” Stokes said.  “He wasn’t just a student, but he was a teacher to his peers. He was creative and always coming up with unique ways to reinvent the school news with Frankie, his friend and host. He was extraordinarily talented but always willing to learn.”

Lucas was working for a solar company called Sunrun doing door-to-door sales. He also had just started an LLC and was on his way to an aspiring entrepreneurial career.

In his free time, Lucas volunteered at Judah Church, where he recorded the services for social media. 

Sophia said even though Lucas was her younger brother, she still went to him for advice. 

“Lucas always knew where he was going, and he wouldn’t get caught up in people’s opinions and stuff like that,” Sophia said. “He was so uniquely himself.”

LEAVING A LEGEND

Abraham-Cawthorn said she thinks Lucas knew he was not going to be on Earth long. When you’re a parent, you never know if you’re doing the right things, and she said her family had struggles just like anyone else. 

A couple of weeks ago, Lucas sat in the kitchen and told Abraham-Cawthorn she and his father did right by him. 

“That conversation brings me immense peace now, and it makes me think Lucas was probably getting ready to depart,” she said. 

Lucas was an organ donor, and even though his vital organs were not viable, he was able to donate both his eyes, his bones, heart valves and skin to help other people.

Throughout the hardest time in her life, Abraham-Cawthorn said she has experienced an overwhelming amount of community support — both emotionally and financially — from people she knows and also from others she does not. 

“Their kindness, their prayers and their words are the reason I feel like I’m still standing right now,” Abraham-Cawthorn said. “Everyone thought of him as one of their best friends. He always tried to be a brother to everyone.”

Sophia said she has been receiving messages from people who say Lucas has inspired them to be their best selves. 

“Lucas woke up every day trying to be better than he was yesterday and he wasn’t afraid to just put his whole personality out there,” she said. “It was something we all tried to follow.”

Although Lucas is gone, Abraham-Cawthorn said she realizes the need to celebrate the little time everyone has together, because it’s gone all too soon.

“Go on my son, my baby boy, go to the light and be well,” she said. “That is all I ever wanted for you anyway — whether you were with me or not. Go in peace, knowing that you too did extremely well and were well loved. Go knowing that I am not mad, my life is not over and that my pain will subside. (Until) we meet again my sweet sweet, sweet boy. Love you always.”

HELP THE CAWTHORNS

They say it takes a village to raise a child, so it’s only fitting that the community come together to help lift up the Cawthorn family during a time of loss. All donations will go directly to the family to offset expenses from the tragedy and ensure the family can focus only on celebrating a life well-lived by Lucas. 

Go Fund Me: Click here.