Skydiving with Craig

The first time I met Craig, he was dressed in a white suit at the temple. We had both become temple workers around the same time and saw each other there but never talked. Then, months later, I was living in the foreign language residence at BYU. My roommate from fall semester had moved out and I was to get a new roommate. He didn't show up for a few days and then one day I walked into my room to find Craig and his mom there unpacking Craig's things. We quickly realized we had seen each other while working at the temple. Craig had just lost his hand a week earlier and was still readjusting to his new circumstances in life. I didn't quite know how to react or how to talk about it but Craig was so positive and so accepting of this dramatic change in his life.

Everywhere we went people reacted oddly or asked awkward questions about Craig's arm but he always played it off with a joke or some wild story like, "Just be careful of sharks off the coast of Mexico."

We had so much fun going on group dates, staying up late talking, and laughing. We planned an 80s party for which we dressed as Bill and Ted. It was totally bodacious!

Toward the end of the school year I told him about my goal to go skydiving. He quickly became interested and enthusiastic about the idea and so we set a date and invited some more friends. Craig drove us up there and we had a blast. Craig was the kind of guy with whom I could do anything and have fun. We laughed all the time and I don't think people understood our humor but we had a great time.

I think more than Craig's smile and laugh, I will remember his constancy in the gospel, his positive attitude, and faith in the Atonement. He really taught me to look on the positive side and look to the Lord. I will always remember Craig's example.

--Westin Hatch