Craig,

I want to thank you for being one of the most beautiful people inside and out I know of. I have supported you for so long, I can’t imagine my iPod without you in it (or my previous MP3 players)! No matter what, you are always lending kind words to fans and friends. It is such an admirable quality.

For a while, I still supported your music, but did not feel a strong connection to you. This was because of something that happened in 2008. I bought meet and greet tickets for a Chiodos show, and you were not at the meet and greet or the signing after the show. I was crushed, because Chiodos was my favorite band at the time, and you were my favorite member.

But, I refused to be childish and give up on you because of a TINY mistake you made, and still remained a fan. Soon after, I heard about your suicide attempt. It was terrible. It IS terrible, the things some people say about it. But I thank God you are around, because you inspire so many people. Without you, a lot of people would not have a role model.

Myself included. I am diagnosed with OCD and Generalized Anxiety Disorder. It is not a death sentence or truly terrible affliction, by any means, but it does hamper my life and cause me to worry and have difficulties in life. I was having a particularly hard time with it.

Then I thought of you. About how you have made it through SO much and still remain on top, happier than you have ever been. I know I, too, can get through this time in my life. Two things you said stuck in my head today: one was before D.R.U.G.S. performing “Laminated E.T. Animal” at the Boston S.I.N. tour stop: “This is for anyone who thinks they are alone. I promise you are not.” The other was the lyrics from “I’m Here To Take the Sky”: “If you’re gonna go on, you’ve gotta be strong; life can be so cruel.”

I felt so connected to you thinking of those words. I mean, you just GET it. I wish I could hang out with you for a long time, and just talk about how much you mean to me and others. For now, this letter will suffice. Thank you, Craigery, for being strong, kind, wise and someone who is, for some people, the only hope they have. I am never alone because of you and many others I love in my life. <3

Love,

Brooke

Submitted by Brookedeezyfosheezy