A Little Young

I met Craig Sunday night, June 22nd, the day before school started at BYU this summer term 2008 (2 weeks ago). I was nervous about checking into my apartment late on the Sabbath, worried that I would be making someone work who didn't want to be there. I'm 40 and I was also nervous about coming to an apartment complex where I'd surely be surrounded by a ton of young people wondering whose mother I was. But Craig was there to check me in, and not only was he happy to be there (Sunday or not) he made sure to comment on my non-traditional student status right off the bat, "You're a little young to be going to school here, aren't you?" I had to laugh.

First impulse was to tell him to keep his old-age comments to himself, then I realized he HAD used the word "young" so I said I'd pay him later for the compliment. He also helped me lug all of my luggage up to the third floor. I specifically remember pointing out my temple bag and asking him to carry it. Typically I'm pretty possessive with it and will carry it myself, but in this instance, somehow not only did it feel safe to let him take it, it was almost as if I wanted him to know that this bag held a part of who I am, and it was validating for him to be aware of it, as if I knew he would appreciate my having it with me.

I suppose it is the unspoken things in a person that often touch us the most. The happy attitude. The ever present grin. An unflinching willingness to work hard. I don't suppose the amount of time I've known Craig qualifies for any kind of legitimate claim on even being an acquaintance, but if the fire inside of him that touched me as briefly as it did, touches the lives of those he comes in contact with on the other side of the vale, I think the term "super-nova" comes to mind. God bless those of you who really did have the opportunity to know him. I know you will miss him.

--Diane Myers