I guess because my friend Mary’s birthday would have been March 12,  I’ve been thinking about her passing last August 10, 2020.  She lived in an assisted living facility and they were on lockdown from March 12 of last year and from what I understand, still are to this day.  The isolation that the residents are experiencing is all too common across the globe.  I’m convinced that the isolation contributed to Mary’s death.  Because before the lockdown she was just fine.  But as it wore on, her appetite decreased, her interest in life waned, and she really missed seeing friends.  Just today I read on Facebook this bittersweet story from Les Roediger, on March 8th, from the site: Caregivers for Compromise.  The photo with the story tells it all.

“Don’t call the doctor, I want to fall asleep peacefully. With your hand in mine.”   He told her about the past, how they met – about the first kiss.   They didn’t cry, they smiled.  They didn’t regret, they were grateful.  Then she said again softly: “I love you, forever”. He returned her words, gave her a gentle kiss on the forehead.  She closed her eyes and fell asleep peacefully with his hand in hers.  Love is what counts, because a person comes into this world with nothing but love and leaves it again with nothing but love.

I’ve known of similar stories shared by others about their loved ones leaving this world.  Lockdown, or isolation really can kill our elderly population especially.  There is hope on the horizon with more people receiving the vaccine.  But the CDC still warns us about gathering in large crowds, the necessity of still wearing a face mask; it hasn’t really lifted the ban on travel, and yet there are still people who defy or do not believe these warnings.  Maybe until it happens to someone close to you the message doesn’t sink in completely.  

There have been many deaths among Sisters in large convents and skilled care facilities, and some of them have been from our own WPC congregations.  I posted on the WPC Facebook page yesterday about a Mass of remembrance that is taking place in the chapel of the Sisters of Providence in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.  They have lost many Sisters to the Covid 19 virus.  Let us join in prayer with them as they remember their Sisters, and we remember our own Sisters, and all who have gone to eternity because of the virus.  May they behold the face of our Provident God and intercede for all of us here on earth.  

Barbara McMullen, CDP