3 years

Three years ago I got a phone call that changed my life forever.  My brother, Craig, passed away.  It's one of those moments you don't ever forget-what was said, where I was, what I was wearing, who was at my house.  I can still remember all the details like it was yesterday.  It's been quite a process, there have been ups and downs and days I thought I couldn't make it.  My heart has never ached so much in my life.  I swear at times my body did physically ache because of the pain I was experiencing. It's hard because as time goes on you create new memories, memories that Craig isn't in.  Oh how I wish he was here.  Here are some of my favorite memories that I don't want to forget:
-One Thanksgiving he insisted on cooking a deep fried turkey.  My mom wasn't too sure about the idea, thinking it would turn out poorly, so she cooked a turkey in the oven too.  The deep fried turkey was awesome and has been a tradition ever since.

Deep fried turkeys are the best!

-One year in high school one of my girlfriends did not have a date to a dance.  So Craig asked my friend, Krystle, and we got to double date.
-Craig and Dennis came to ski one year in Utah.  Somehow Craig's skis got switched with someone else's at the mountain.  He didn't realize it until we went to return them.  Luckily, the resort he skied at had the skis and we went and switched them.  Let's just say it was a good thing it was Craig's mistake and not Dennis'.
-My favorite thing to tease him about was my parents came home from a night out and found him in the pantry with the babysitter (she was not babysitting him, she was his age.  He just happened to come home before my parents and I guess they liked each other).
-I loved talking to him about world events, politics, medicine, diabetes, anything.  He seemed to know something about everything.
-When I was diagnosed with diabetes when I was pregnant with Izzy he was so helpful.  It was so great to have someone to talk to about what to eat, things to avoid, how to manage my blood sugars, etc.  It has been so hard not to have him around to chat about some of my concerns that I've had with my diabetes.

One of my favorite pictures with Craig.  We took a family cruise to Hawaii; one of my favorite family trips. 

He always made an effort to spend time with family.  He flew to Montana one summer and he was only there for 36 hours before flying back to start med school.

Craig holding Izzy at 7 weeks.  

Stallone, Craig bought him while my parents were out of town (without their permission, of course).

Thanksgiving 2010.  The last time I saw Craig and unfortunately I didn't take a picture with him.

LOVE you Craig!