Thanks for the inspiration and example

I hurt my arm recently and x-rays show a potential fracture. At first I was complaining about it but not after reading more about Craig and also being reminded of the greater challenges that others have. While I need to not move/use my arm until I get the appropriate splint/cast later today (I hope), I ran across Craig's video about tying shoes with one hand, which I hadn't been able to figure out. His other videos were great as well.

I was sorry to find out that he had passed away. Just what I read about and saw of him in videos today has been inspirational and has set a great example of how to not let life's challenges get you down. Thanks, Craig!

--Gary

Forget Mike... I wanna be like Craig!!!

I don't like to dwell on the past. I am much more interested in what can happen today--- at this very moment. Whenever something inspires me, I tend to write it down. I have been slowly coming out of a major writers' block (I'm talkin' years).

Since getting to know Craig better, via the internet, I am finding myself over-flowing with inspiration. Craig you are my muse. Thank you; and thank you to all the people, places, and things that have inspired you to be the remarkable person that you were, are, and always will be! I haven't felt quite like this in far too long! May you continue to inspire the masses!!! You are an angel!

-- Jordan Hunt

Thanks for the Strength

I didn't know you too well, Craig, but I'll never forget when you shared your testimony in church. We were both in the FLSR, and you had just had the accident with the firecracker. The amazing thing is that you acted as though it was nothing. You remained happy in the face of amazing adversity, even cracking jokes about the incident. I'm sorry I didn't get to know you better, but thanks for the example of strength that you unknowingly gave me.

--Tiffany Fantasia

Perceptions of Other People

It has been incredible to get to know my brother through so many other eyes and hearts through these wonderful blogs. About a month before Craig died, we were talking about his perceptions of other people. The comment he made then has come to be one of those life changing moments for me. He said that he had found that if he assumed that everyone he met was dealing with real pain, whether emotional, mental, physical, or otherwise...he would be correct the vast majority of the time.

As I have pondered this it has made me a lot more accepting and gentle towards everyone I've come in contact with. Did the person who just cut me off on the freeway find out their brothers body had just been found, and are rushing to get there? Is the person I think is ignoring my greeting going through some heartache?

It's so amazing how far a little tenderness can go. Through everything we have been through as a family, it never ceases to astonish me how so many people have found, in quiet little ways, to comfort us. I hope that I will carry that same awareness and have the courage to reach out to others. Craig would expect no less!!!

--Joanne Decker

Cavatina

I heard a song today that reminded me of Craig, and so I thought I’d share this short memory with his family. He and I shared a room last summer. I played him a song once by Beethoven (called the cavatina) and he really loved it. I told Craig that Beethoven had been deaf for twenty years when he wrote it. He said that if a deaf man could write something so beautiful, then how hard could opening a can with one hand be? Well, he didn’t have a computer at the time, so he’d log onto mine and loop this song by Beethoven and play it over and over for like four or five hours at a time. Then he’d play it all night long while we were sleeping, for the whole summer. I could tell that there was more to Craig than just energy and optimism (although he showed more of both in one summer then I ever will be able to). He was also a very smart guy with a lot of interests and a huge capacity. Someone to be proud of. God bless him and his family.

--Peter

Birthday Poem

I thought I had found all of my letters from Craig, but packing for my move to New York today I found a poem and note Craig had written for me on my 21st birthday, right after he got back from his mission. The poem is dated March 20, 2004.

I remember I was home from college for the weekend, and Rebekka and I were up late that Sunday night sitting in our living room when we heard a knock on the door and we opened it to find a rock and underneath the rock, two pieces of lined notebook paper with a red bow on top. Curious, I took it inside and opened it up and it was a beautiful poem Craig had written for me and a personal note. I won't share the poem here on the blog-- it's... for me... :) ... but I remember now how happy I felt that night reading the poem and how bright it made my birthday that year. I liked the poem enough to pack it to California! And now I'll take it with me to New York as a permanent part of my personal records.

--Reija Matheson

Link to Photos

Here is a link to some pictures I took at the funeral
http://s263.photobucket.com/albums/ii142/mjeror/Craig%20Decker%20Funeral/

--Melissa Eror