From a Roommate in the Spanish House

The very first day I met Craig was when he came to an apartment in the Foreign Language Student Residence (FLSR). It was in the Spanish house, I was the Resident Facilitator and he would be one of my roommates. I shook hands with him, I felt a big and firm hand, but I felt something strange about that hand shake; I shake hands mostly every day, but that one had been a particular one.

He introduced himself and I showed him around a little, then he went on a vacation trip and came back, this time without his right hand. I admit that, to a certain extent and degree, it made me feel perplexed because of his good attitude regarding his loss. He just had lost his hand and he was studying to become chiropractic. I wondered: does he really know that he just lost his hand and has to change his major and life plans? Is this going to be just a temporary positive attitude?

I need to declare publicly that in my time as his roommate, I saw him with a very jovial and cheerful attitude towards his loss. I saw him maybe a very limited couple of times sitting in the couch in silence taking his hand therapy; a couple of moments for him for meditation and serenity. It was peculiar and strange seen him in a different aspect, although still admirable; a humbling experience for those who
have two hands and sometimes can't see the greatness of life and work it out for good. Craig did it with one hand.

During the time he lived in the Spanish house, he fulfilled his duties with the house and brought happy moments to those around him. He cooked for us, helped us in what he could and dated many of the girls in the residence. I helped him with his Spanish, which I can say it was one of the best Spanish speakers in the house at that time. When I made corrections in the language, he listened and learned; the major
reward for an instructor.

Interesting is to say that even though I lived with him, I really didn't know him as much as those who kept his pace. Sometimes most of the things we know of those around us are confined by our own routines. We may think we know what they like and don't like, what they do and don't do, just the simple things like that. It is important to consider that sometimes we need to take a moment to really get to know each other and see that beyond a good smile, beyond the enthusiasm, beyond a lack of a right hand, cheerful attitudes, positive comments, there is a spirit that thinks, feels, dreams,
believes, and in one word is. Beyond the limits we call death, pain and sorrow, such spirit and soul with all his awareness, nature, charisma, knowledge and personal attributes will continue and persevere with resurrection, delight and joy. That is and will be the real worth and value of Craig Decker. For those who struggle because
of his departure, may God give you comfort and strength until the words of the well-known hymn be fulfilled… "God be with you till we meet again."

--Jesús Rosas, Ex-roommate in the Spanish House