I’m Craig. I’m not a psychologist or psychiatrist. I’m not a doctor.
I am actually an accountant. The truth is, I don’t know any more than you do about how to handle the stress that comes with a major life event… except I’ve been there.Three times in my life, actually.
The first time, I was a young man. I had just graduated high school and had my whole life ahead of me. We were celebrating on the lake with friends. It was late and dark when we tried to drive home. We were going too fast. The jet ski crashed, and my best friend didn’t make it.
The second time, I was just about to start my second year of grad school. I had been experiencing some pretty severe back pain, so I went to the doctor to get checked out. The X-rays weren’t clear, but the MRI showed a tumor on my spinal cord. It was cancer.
The third time was the hardest. I was much older, and I had been through a lot. Still, I never could have guessed the pain that comes with losing your child. Emily was only 12 years old when a freak accident took her from us. More than any other time in my life, I wasn’t sure I’d make it through.
I don’t tell you this to elicit your pity. I tell you to earn your trust. I’ve traveled some dark roads but, in the end, I have been lucky enough to find the light. With the help of some talented doctors, a few open-minded spiritual leaders, and a lot of good books, I figured out that experiencing unfathomable pain, heartache, and fear all comes down to one thing: