SIT DOWN

No one can say that life is not challenging. When friends call and say “sit down,” chills run down my spine. What could it be? There are illnesses we never heard of before and more specialists than we care to learn about.

We don’t enjoy making Hallmark rich from the purchase of dozens of sympathy cards, and we don’t like the need to send charity in memory of loved ones. We would much prefer contributing in honor of anyone.

Attending funeral services virtually or in person has sadly been an unwanted form of entertainment during the COVID lockdown days. Since Inauguration Day on January 20, 2021, we’ve heard of too many deaths in our inner circle of friends, relatives, and colleagues. I cannot recall our parents going through that many losses in such a short period of time.

It was precisely on Inauguration Day that after a long hospitalization our cousin Michael succumbed to COVID. In March 2022, three of the deaths on our list occurred in one day. Many from the long list of dearly departed reached life expectancy and beyond, but it doesn’t make it any easier.

As a matter of fact, two of the most difficult losses for me were a cousin who was 90 and another 108. You read that correctly.

What part does religion play? One friend reached out for visitors, saying she’s been not feeling well at all as of late. She’s under the care of two doctors and undergoing testing but doesn’t want to discuss it.

Stopping by to bring a little souvenir hand sanitizer from vacation and spend some quality time out on her open-air terrace proved therapeutic for her. For me, it was rattling.

At 72, my friend acknowledged that whatever God has in store for her, she’s going to accept. That statement was ominous.

When the time came for me to leave, she said she was ready to go inside. The last time we were together a couple of months prior, she walked unassisted. This time, she had the help of a cane but she struggled to rise from the chair and each step took a concerted effort.

Two days later, I got word she was in the hospital. Thankfully, as of the writing of this post, after tests, procedures, two hospitalizations, and rehab, she’s gradually gaining back strength as we talk about the mundane and try to think happy thoughts.

A miracle or God’s help? She reiterates, whatever God wants [for her].

In my January 3, 2023, blog post, You Think Everyone Is Like You, I spoke about trying to be less empathetic. That’s difficult enough when it’s about someone we never met. Our friends and family mean the world to us and over the years many colleagues and clients have become like family.

Here’s to good health and happy times and building more wonderful memories with family and friends. Amen.