Man overboard

Life is fragile.

As some of you may have seen on the local Utah news, Craig Decker went missing yesterday. He was in a boat on Utah Lake with his parents; an oar went overboard and he jumped in after it, and he hasn’t been seen since. Search and rescue teams still haven’t found the body, oddly enough.

He was my roommate.

My former roommate, I should say — from May 2007 to May 2008. Most of his YouTube videos (he lost his hand in a fireworks accident eighteen months ago, and so he started putting together videos on how to do stuff with only one hand) were shot in the front room of my apartment.

And now he’s gone. Granted, there’s still a small chance that he’s just pulled off an amazing Houdini and he’s actually alive and well on the other shore — and in movies the hero always shows up just after you think he’s gone for good…but this isn’t a movie. It’s horrible, that’s what it is. One moment he was there, the next he was swallowed up forever.

Yes, there is hope in the plan of salvation. Yes, Christ is a master healer. Yes, someday we’ll see Craig again. But it still feels weird. It still stings. It’s not till later that death loses its sting and its victory. (But it does lose its sting. Make no mistake about that.)

Ben, I am really sorry to hear about this. I hadn’t heard about it since I don’t live in Utah these days. And I think even if I had heard about it, I wouldn’t have given it more than a moment’s thought.

But this whole post made me think a bit more about death- mostly the fact that when somebody dies, that somebody had a close circle of friends and family members who are missing him.

Thanks for reminding me that everybody means something to somebody.

Wow, Ben. I’m sorry about that. You’re right, the gospel does bring hope. But my favorite part of the story of Lazarus is the part where Jesus weeps with Mary. He knew it was going to be alright. He knew that in a matter of minutes, Lazarus would be alive again. But the fact that he wept with them proves that the Savior won’t mock our pain or shame us for feeling upset. Death is sad, even with the comfort of the plan of salvation.

Not that I’m trying to talk you into crying yourself to sleep or anything. I’m using this as a reminder for myself as well.

I’ll be thinking about you and praying for Craig and his family. *hug*

I’m sorry for you and for his family. It’s hard to learn friends. This type of thing is so unexpected. My friend’s roommate went missing hiking last year and my best friend’s (from Freshman year) brother went missing hiking the year before while I was on my internship. Both were BYU students.

I’ll keep Craig and his family in my prayers. At least you’ll see him again someday and he’ll even have his hand back and be able to give you a firm grip

Ben, I am so sorry! I watched his youtube video and he seems like such a great guy. Perhaps Father had something more important for him to do, but it is hard to be consoled when you loose someone close.

The saddest loss I’ve personally had to deal with was not my mother or my step-sons, but was my brother’s infant child. It was all I could bare to watch my brother carry that tiny coffin to the grave all by himself.

I think most often we grieve more for the living than for the dead. I’ll pray for you and his family.

Dude. :(

I’m so sorry to hear about Craig. Gives perspective on time and how short it really is. My prayers are with you and all the good people who love Craig.

Sherry: Very true — it’s really easy to stay detached when you hear news like this on TV or in the papers, but just like you said, everybody means something to somebody. It’s good to remember that every once in a while. (Remembering it all the time might be too much to handle, though.)

Joni: I actually read the story of Lazarus while waiting for Sunday School to start right after hearing the news — amen.

David: Thanks. It’s hard. And weird, too — it still doesn’t feel like he’s gone.

Janet: Thanks.

sixline: Yeah.

Jaclyn: Thanks.