Craig passed away in his apartment at 5:45 this evening in the company of his sisters, father and girlfriend. His passing was peaceful, beautiful and the way he wanted.
Craig is one of the greatest men I've ever known. He is my best friend, my brother, my role model and I will miss him beyond description.
I love you Craigy!! ...with all my heart.
~E
To say that I did not want this to happen would be the understatement of the year. I'm glad that my friend is no longer in pain. The thought of the toll that was placed on him these last handful of months is immense. The same goes for your family. I have massive amounts of love for you all, and want you to know you can call me whenever you want/need. To say it once again, I cannot believe this has happened. I wish I could rewind time and change things such that none of this had ever happened. I guess, I will have to get used to this bitter pill called life, not having Craig in it makes it only harder. I will love and cherish the memories and times we had forever. He was my best friend, and there will be none closer than him from this point forward. Lots of love lawlers, most of all to you Craig.
ReplyDeleteThis will be a short message as I find it most difficult right now to express how devastated we all are .Agnès and Béatrice together in Paris were the first ones to hear about Craig's passing away and they relayed the terribly sad news to Jean-Paul and me in Codalet. Somehow I am relieved to know that all this suffering is over for Craig. We know you will suffer for a long time to come but life will go on anyway with the help of those you love .We think of Mary, of Craig and send our love to Jim, Diane, Erin and Jill. Chris
ReplyDeleteOm Shanti. These words came forth in meditation earlier this week, inspired by Craig's bravery and his family's and Emily's devotion.
ReplyDeleteHe sensed the time drawing near; crossing the channel was imminent.
Such a long swim was not the challenge. He had no fear of water.
The challenge was leaving the river bank and all the things he knew and loved on the shore.
The challenge was leaving behind all he had not known or completed.
The things he loved on shore were real. Whatever was on the other side was unreal.
Yet crossing was imminent; he knew and accepted this.
He surrendered to this and let go of uncertainty.
As he sensed the time drawing nearer, a subtle warmth began to emanate from the other side.
In his dreams it was like a beckoning. It was like light.
There were shadows and movement.
He began to hear the calling, and he heard it often. It sounded like singing.
Despite the fact he didn’t want to go, he began to feel peace.
Now and then his eyes opened and he saw them, the real ones, here, dear and holding his hand,
wiping his brow. He listened to their familiar voices speaking words of comfort and reassurance.
He knew the preciousness of love. He knew the strength that stoics referenced.
He knew and he was glad. He was glad and sad together.
He understood and surrendered. And when the time came he let the dust fall.
He stepped into the water and swam all the way.
He swam into light and did not look back.
Holding all of you in heartfelt thoughts and prayers. Om Shanti. Namaste.
Craig - You are already missed by so many people. But now you and your mother can finally have some peace together. Jim, Emily, Erin, Diane and Jill - my heart goes out to all of you. Your family strength is amazing. I am thinking of all of you today. Brelle
ReplyDeleteA beautiful message from our neighbor, Jamie:
ReplyDeleteI witnessed a beautiful Oklahoma sunset this evening as I walked around our neighborhood! I had a feeling that it meant more than just an end to the day.
I will continue to pray for you to have peaceful rest and strength in the next few days ahead.
Blessings,
Jamie
Your mom and Craig are together in spirit, I imagine them both remarking on what an amazing family they left behind. Mary must be so proud of all of you, for everything you have given up and everything you did over the past year to try to ease their pain or to make them both laugh when everyone really wanted to cry. I hope you all can take some time for yourselves once the services are over.
ReplyDeleteD: We love and miss you and hope that you come back to Stilly to stay awhile but if you don't... we will come to you when we can. Kaia needs to get her Auntie D fix!
Some thoughts following one of the most moving memorial services I have attended.
ReplyDeleteAlthough Craig's experience as a member of the Court family was relatively recent and much too brief, it was more than enough time for others to recognize what a special young man he was. Some may live much longer, but never have his ability to appreciate life for what it is and for what it can be. His enthusiasm for life -- for learning, for enjoying others, for just having fun -- were infectious.
As for the living, it may be that saying goodbye to Craig will be one of the hardest things we do. That is because many of us will continue to say goodbye everyday for as long as we live. However, in the memories of the good times and in the recognition of his wonderful zest for life, comes healing relief. Also, in memories, he will live and his brief, but productive, life will carry on in the thoughts and actions of those who loved and respected him. I am confident that how they live their own lives hereafter will do honor to Craig's.
For the Court family, Craig was our resident Oklahoman, a modern day "Okie" who had left the home land to seek his fortune in the Queen City of the Plains, Denver. As a law clerk here, he clearly demonstrated his excellent research and writing skills: but more importantly, he demonstated amazing grace and courage in the face of struggles and setbacks with his health. He always had a smile, a quick joke or a witty remark such that many did not know about or fully appreciate the ongoing intensity of his battle until quite late in the process. His will to fight and to succeed were that great. Please remember this remarkable young man from Stillwater whenever it's a beautiful morning, the wind comes whipping down the plains, or the grass is a high as an elephant's eye. For me especially, I will remember him kindly whenever someone tells a deadpan story or joke followed by a wry smile, just to see if you were really paying attention. And I will always, always, always think of Craig whenever I hear a harmonica. Craig will be missed, but not forgotten.