Loss

One thing that has been constant about the COVID-19 pandemic is loss. Many have died; some have lost senses (smell and taste); others, the ability to connect and touch loved ones. But one thing I have also learned is that it has taken away the ability to grieve as we have come accustomed to.

In December last year, we got the shocking news that my uncle passed suddenly. He was about his business, picking up groceries. And then everything went downhill. He would never leave the hospital alive as he did numerous times before. We said our good-byes at his funeral just before the end of the year. And because of the pandemic, we had to watch virtually.

Just a week later, not yet a full week into the New Year, two more relatives passed, each one day apart. Both were my granduncles; one my grandmother's brother, the other my grandfather's brother. One was overseas, one was right here at home. And both died very suddenly. It was after the 2nd death that I really felt heavy and the tears just flowed. There was just so much loss! And not being able to hug anyone...

I felt for my mom. In the space of a month, she lost a brother and two uncles. And what's more, she has to grieve with us by phone. No close contact, no hugging. We have lost our ability to really grieve loss.

But in all of this, God remains faithful. He is close to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18). So we pray on! Because one thing we have not lost is our connection to the One who can help us bear it all.