Day 20: Remembering the Vulnerable

This has indeed been a sad week for so many Americans and families around the world who are fighting this pandemic. Learning the stories of the lives lost this week has brought back memories of my first experience with loss and grief 11 years ago. My brother was a brilliant, thoughtful, determined but gentle, and incredibly kindhearted young man who lived with a chronic condition called sickle-cell anemia. Given his multiple underlying conditions, today, he would have been considered a member of the vulnerable population more susceptible to Covid-19. I can’t help but remember how shocking it was to watch an acute illness take the life of someone who had never let a diagnosis define who he was nor limit his dreams. And yet, this is what so many families are facing during this horrific crisis, except, they are stripped of the chance to say goodbye.

For those families suffering the trauma of the sudden loss of a vulnerable loved one, I leave you with these few pieces of advice:

• Remember your loved one as the person s/he was in spite of the battle s/he fought on a daily basis.

• On your saddest days, be comforted by the memories of your loved one’s smiles and laughter.

• Rid yourself of guilt stemming from the relationship.

• Believe that your loved one has fulfilled his or her purpose on earth.

• Help/inspire/empower others to live their best life.

Until next time, have a safe and peaceful holiday.

Oroma

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