Craig Decker

Although I'm sure that half of the BYU population has written something about Craig Decker in the past week, I couldn't let him pass without paying tribute to him in one way or another. Craig has been an example to me since the day I first heard him talk. His testimony and life still touch me.

Craig lost his hand in a firework accident over Christmas break in 2006. That didn't stop him from coming back to school, being happy, and influencing the lives of everyone he met. One of my favorite memories involving Craig was during a sacrament meeing last year. Someone was receiving a calling and Craig raised his left hand to sustain him. A high councilman who was sitting in the congregation made a snark comment under his breath--something about, "Who does he think he is raising the wrong hand like that?" A friend from the ward turned to him quickly and said, "He doesn't have a right hand sir." Silence.

Craig made his situation work--no matter how tough.  He said it best in his own words when he wrote, "I will not be a victim, ever."

And that is the most important lesson Craig taught me: to not victimize myself. I am grateful for his stalwart example and for the role he played in my life. While I complain far more than I should, and sometimes whine when I shouldn't, I have caught myself thinking at times that I am grateful I still have all my limbs and muscles--even if they hurt sometimes. More importantly than Craig not having a hand was the way he made do without it. I have no doubt that he was ready to let the Atonement work for him when he drowned last Saturday--in so many ways he already has.

Finally I want to share the goals/statements/rules of life that were found in Craig's journal. I want to adopt them as my own:

1. People are always more important.
2. Do what you need to do when you need to do it whether you want to or not.
3. I am not a victim, ever.
4. Purity is power.
5. Leave it better than when you found it.
6. Life is a joy, a journey in becoming like my Heavenly Father.
7. Live with purpose.

Thanks for everything, Craig. I'm glad you have your hand again...but I know you would have been a great chiropractor without it.