A dear co-worker of mine lost her partner last week to Covid-19. I was heartbroken for her and I knew I would never be able to find words to ease her pain. All I could think about was how alone she must feel now and how her beloved died alone in a hospital.
Yesterday I was watching the tribute by the Biden administration to honor those people who’ve died of Covid-19 and I felt a rush of emotions. Over 400,000 Americans have lost their lives to Covid-19 to date. Most of their loved ones were denied the opportunity to be by their sides, hold their hands, kiss them, and say goodbye. Loved ones have grieved in solitude and were unable to share their grief and those lives lost were never acknowledged.
Tuesday evening four-Hundred lights representing the 400,000 people lost to Covid-19 surrounded the reflecting pool at the Lincoln Memorial. President Joe Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris honored those who have passed. Kamala Harris said, “Tonight, we grieve and begin healing together.” This is the first time that I can recall in the past year that an elected official acknowledged the enormity of American loss of life due to this horrific virus.
I watched this amazing event and thought about 400,000 spirits that are now free to move on. Acknowledgement is just the beginning of healing.
Lincoln Memorial in the background. Alex Brandon AP