Though the Heartache Remains, Honoring Craig’s Legacy and His Inspiring Philosophy, ‘It Could Be Worse’

We lost Craig five years ago today, but his spirit never left those whose lives he touched. Craig wasn’t just a son, a husband and a father, he was a beacon of strength and hope, someone who radiated positivity even in the darkest moments.

His battle with two brain tumors was an immense challenge, yet, if you met Craig, you’d never know the depth of his struggle. He never allowed it to define him or bring him down. Instead, he used it as fuel to uplift those around him.

Even as his memory and speech became more difficult, Craig never lost the power to inspire. He had this amazing gift of seeing beyond his circumstances. He lived by one simple, yet profound philosophy: “It could be worse.” It wasn’t just something he said in passing; it was the foundation of how he faced life. In the middle of our hardest days, when fear and uncertainty loomed over us, Craig would find a way to smile, to crack a joke, and to remind us that there is always something to be grateful for, something to keep pushing for.

One of my most vivid memories is how Craig would handle those grueling MRI appointments every three months. We’d sit in the hospital lobby, surrounded by other patients, the weight of anxiety heavy in the air. Everyone was waiting for news that could change their lives forever. You could feel the tension, the fear, and yet, Craig would somehow make people laugh. With just a few words, a lighthearted joke, he could lift the spirits of an entire room. Strangers would leave that waiting room feeling lighter, feeling hopeful. When I asked him how he did it, how he could be so positive when we were all so scared, his answer was always the same: “It could be worse.”

Craig’s outlook wasn’t about dismissing the challenges we face, but rather, a powerful reminder that we always have a choice in how we respond. Life will throw obstacles at us, and sometimes they’re devastating. But we are stronger than we know, and there’s always a way to find hope, even in the hardest moments.

His story reminds me, and I hope it reminds you, that no matter what you’re going through, no matter how insurmountable the challenge might seem, you have the power to choose how you respond. You have the power to find the light, to lift others up, and to keep moving forward. Craig never gave up, and he never allowed those around him to give up either. He used his struggles as a way to connect with people, to show them that even in the face of adversity, we can still make an impact.

Today, on the fifth anniversary of his passing, I reflect on the way Craig lived his life: with courage, compassion, and an unyielding belief in the goodness of people. He taught me that we all have the strength within us to overcome, to persevere, and to bring light to others, no matter how dark things may seem.

To anyone reading this, I want to share what Craig taught me. Life can be hard; it can feel impossible at times. But remember, “It could be worse.” And in those moments of hardship, dig deep. Find your strength. Lift someone else up. Make them laugh, give them hope, and you’ll find that by doing so, you lift yourself too.

Craig’s legacy is a reminder that every day, we have a choice: to let challenges defeat us or to rise above them with grace and grit. Let his story be a beacon for you. Choose joy, choose perseverance, and never underestimate the impact you can have on those around you. Because when you lift others, you lift yourself. And in doing so, you can make even the hardest of days a little brighter.