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

He made my son's day.

Dear Family and Friends of Craig, I just wanted you to know what a wonderful man Craig is. My son and I met him at Dr. Hansen office during our care after a major car wreck. Craig would play and entertain my son while I was with the doctor each day. He also would share with me what day it was off his girl friends calendar - like rainbow day, and cowboy day. He always was so kind. I am so sorry for your loss. I understand the loss of losing someone you love. My dear husband passed away just over a year ago. My the Lord bless your home each day and my Craig be with you in your times of needs. I also want to tell you that I know that God is even more alive then I did before losing my husband. Your family will be blessed in many ways because of the life that Craig lived and shared. May the Lord be with you and your family in you time of need.

--Terri Moser

One of a kind!

I lived with Craig at the Foreign Language Housing and when I met him I knew he was different. He was very polite, smart, motivated and always cheering everybody up. I will remember him as the guy who is always ready to serve no matter how much stuff he has to do. He also dated my home-teachee and that taught me how well he always treated everyone, whether or not they were close to him. I'll miss seeing him everyday on my way to work or a meeting and taking some time off my busy day to chat. You'll be missed buddy!

--Fritz Abélard

Optimistic

Craig was ALWAYS optimistic. I think it was something that made him, who he was all together. He could look at the positive in any situation, even if there was none to be found....he always found the impossible to be possible. I remember one time, I wasn't having the greatest day and it was during our lovely "hell" week in band and it was actually my birthday as well. He came over to me while I was putting my clarinet away at the end of the day and he put an arm around me and told me that he appreciated me so much and for all of the energy I had put into my performance that day. I had done each push-up faster than ever and I was always running to my spot, trying to beat my friends to theirs. He told me he appreciated me picking up chips at the end, while a lot of people ran off to go home.

Even though, what he said may have been nothing to him, it meant everything to me. He made my birthday that year and I will never forget it. He honestly was amazing and he will always be remembered for his optimism and encouragement that he gave me so often while I was able to get to know him. I was so fortunate to know him for the time that I did. He was a great friend and an awesome example. A perfect mix of what someone could be. You will be missed dearly Craig. You were an inspiration to us all and will always be to me. Thank you.

--Julie Van Schelt

A Little Peace

So I hadn't known Craig long when I'd heard the news of what happened, we were co-workers and he'd just started in June. I don't have any specific memory of Craig that I'd like to share here, because I didn't know him that well. If only I'd been so lucky! But when I found the website I started reading the different stories about him, and then I saw that list of his personal goals in his obituary. The more and more I find out about Craig, the more I realize what an awesome person I knew.

Although he is gone, I feel like he's doing a lot for everyone still--something it seems like he was always doing anyway. I am so grateful to him because I've been motivated, because of his example, to examine my life, fix it up, and get in back on the path to eternal, real, joy. There aren't a whole lot of specifics for that, but right now I am just feeling so grateful for him, the person he is, and what he's helping me to become. I guess that's weird coming from someone that was a bit of a stranger, but the Lord does work in mysterious ways. :) I am so grateful for the little bit of peace I have in my life now, and the hope I have that the future will be even better. Craig is helping me do that.

--Erin Abbott