Hey guys. Some of you may remember me and Amanda my daughter

**trucker17** · February 13th, 2017, 20:58

Hey guys.
Some of you may remember me and Amanda my daughter.
We are back. Mandy will still be using my log in until she decides to get her own account.
You may have been wondering why i just stop coming into the forums.
Well here is why.
Last year while i was on the road. My daughter and fiancee was at home during a home invasion. Amanda was hurt pretty bad, and spent a week in the hospital.
My fiancee was not so lucky. She fought off the burglars as best she could trying to protect Amanda and our home. In he process she was shot 5 times. Katie died in route to the hospital.
I was such an emotional wreck from loosing her, that i stopped playing FSX and even stopped going on the computer. and focused my attention on trying to find the people responsible for killing her. Once they were found and convicted. i turned my attention to work and just ran away burying my feelings in work.
Amanda convinced me to return to FSX and spend time on the computer talking to her while she is at school. And she let me know it was time to get back to my life.
So i am back, even though i am still fighting my feelings. No i am not over the loss completely.

Craig.

P.S. I have alot of emails to read and respond to. I will get to them when i am feeling more up to it.
Sorry to all my friends out here, who i left wondering what had happened to me.

**ryanbatc** · February 13th, 2017, 21:08

Oh my goodness!

So so sorry. I'll be praying!

Welcome back!

***manfredc3*** · February 13th, 2017, 21:38

Sorry to hear about your loss, and the rest that happened to those dear to you.

I hope the community here can help you get though this, and life bearable.

Welcome back.

**lownslo** · February 13th, 2017, 22:01

Such a shocking tragedy! Sorry for your loss and glad for your return. Hope your return will be helpful to you and Amanda.

Greg

**roger-wilco-66** · February 13th, 2017, 22:50

I am utterly shocked and deeply sorry to read this, Craig. What a horrific act and terrible loss. I am glad you made it back and your daughter is OK.

My thoughts are with you and Amanda.
Mark

**ponchovilla** · February 13th, 2017, 22:57

Oh, my word! Tears in my eyes, I can't possibly know exactly what you are going through, but I feel for you. Don't know how else to express it. I know that we all want to make it better for you, in thoughts, words, or actions.
Wishing you nothing but peace, love, and grace.
Stay Strong.

**StormILM** · February 13th, 2017, 23:03

Craig, I remember you posting in times past and wondered where you had gone. I am terribly sorry for your loss in such a senseless tragedy. I was once an intended victim of a robbery/attack attempt decades ago which I fended off multiple attackers with Deadly Force. It's a part of my past I rarely to never speak of and I was fully cleared in the aftermath but it's something I hope no one ever has to go through.

Keep your chin and and welcome back.

**Mejborn** · February 13th, 2017, 23:15

Gulp. That was a hard one to read. My thoughts are with you.
I hope you have friends and family that can help you stay on track in life.
Loneliness can be so hard in circumstances like the ones you are living.
Flightsimming helped me a lot after my wife died of ALS, so I think its good you spend a bit of time with this little hobby.

**IanHenry** · February 14th, 2017, 00:02

Sorry to hear about your loss and I can quite understand why you felt the need to withdraw from the world. I hope both yourself and Amanda can put this horror behind you and move on.
RIP Katie.

Ian

**Anneke** · February 14th, 2017, 00:11

Darn Craig. What a terrible tragedy. I'm glad that you're back. I hope you and Amanda will find the strenght to carry on and find some happiness again. You and your daughter are in our thoughts.

**strykerpsg** · February 14th, 2017, 00:14

Glad to see you back in the saddle. Your story is indeed heart wrenching and my deepest condolences to you and your family for not only your loss, but what that tragedy will mean emotionally for many years to come. I hope you are able to once again find solace and comfort in a venue of supporting members and readers.

***TARPSBird*** · February 14th, 2017, 00:41

Craig, my condolences for your tragic loss... But welcome back to SOH. You're among friends here.

**scotth6** · February 14th, 2017, 00:53

Hey Craig,

I am so sorry for your tragic loss. I can't imagine what you must have been through. I am really saddened by the news you have shared.

It really is brave of you to post about your experience here, and I really hope having contact with your friends here in the flight sim community can help you and your daughter heal. My thoughts are with you both.

Cheers,

Scott

**Fireball6** · February 14th, 2017, 01:19

All my best wishes for you and Amanda and my deepest condolences for the tragical loss that you both have had.

Dirk

***Rami*** · February 14th, 2017, 01:42

Hi Craig,

I can't express anything new that hasn't already been said, but I'm glad to see you again and hope that the support of the flight sim community may help lift you and Amanda from time to time as you work through this. My condolences on your loss, and best hopes for the future.

**stansdds** · February 14th, 2017, 01:49

That is absolutely horrible, Craig. Words cannot express my sympathies.

***falcon409*** · February 14th, 2017, 03:54

Craig, glad to see you back in the Forum, but after reading what has happened to you this past year I, like so many of us, find it difficult to express anything that feels worthy of the loss you've endured. My condolences of course for the loss of your fiance and at the same time glad that Mandy is doing well. . .and that you feel it's the right time to try to get back some normalcy in your life. All the best to you Craig.

**txnetcop** · February 14th, 2017, 04:31

I don't words that would even come close to expressing what I feel about your loss. I can only begin to imagine what I would feel and do and I thank God it hasn't happened to me. Welcome back Craig! We're here for you Amigo...
Ted

***Cees Donker*** · February 14th, 2017, 05:28

Graig,

Good to see you are trying to pick up the old life as far as that is possible. I can't even begin to imagine the pain you must feel. I'm shocked to read what has happened. Welcome back.

Cees

**Daveroo** · February 14th, 2017, 07:24

craig,good to see you back in the forums.say hi to Amanda for me and ill get to facebook one of these days,mom had a relapse and im dealing with her now too so i dont have a lot of time...damn it...being sick and tired all the time sucks...

**trucker17** · February 14th, 2017, 08:31

Thank you everyone. I am back as well as Amanda. Its still a daily fight. But with help from Friends and family. i know we will get thru this.
Craig.

***Navy Chief*** · February 14th, 2017, 10:32

I wondered where you had been, Craig. I checked my PMs, and the last message I'd receive from you was las April. Such a horrific story! You are a stronger man than I am. Not sure I could've recovered from such trauma. Glad to hear your daughter is ok. So, so sorry to hear about your fiancée.... Pete

**SSI01** · February 14th, 2017, 11:36

Very sorry to hear about your loss, and the circumstances are almost beyond belief. I pray for your recovery.

**pr945b** · February 14th, 2017, 12:27

I'm so sorry your loss. As a LEO, I think I know what you feel (no, not really). I think you're strong and a real man, but first, you have a daughter. She's really matters. Be strong for her.
All my best wishes for you and Amanda and my deepest condolences for the tragical loss that you both have had. I'm so sorry.