March 11, 2021-
Today is a moment of reflection for all of us. I wrote this in my journal, not knowing that Covid would still persist as a menace a year later. The loss of lives is still staggering and so emotional. Two more losses, one was an agency companion/sitter at work and another a church member in the prime of her life. When will this end? I did not expect to hear sad news so close to home when we're almost on the home stretch.
Today, we gathered in the Resus Room to pay respects and remember our co-worker. Although she was not an MSM employee, we claimed her as our own because she was assigned to the ED for 4 years. June was an agency employee sent to watch patients who were emotionally disturbed, suicidal or patients who are Fall and elopement risks. It was not an easy job; the patients were challenging, but she persevered and tried to help as much as they could when she was sometimes sick herself.
The room was filled with nurses, techs, and other ancillary workers. It started slow but soon the staff was sharing their memories of her. The chaplain led us in prayer. It was difficult to hold back the tears because I did not think that one year later, we would still be mourning the deaths of people we know. I didn't know that I needed the hug. The staff had a good cry then we dried our tears as we went back to work.
This second wave of Covid was not as intense as the first wave, but what is unrelenting is the slow road to recovery. Maybe it is our impatience to return back to normal. Maybe it's the frustration that people still die, despite everything we have learned.
One year later, my son is still safe and we have been indulging in our food trips, mask, and all. My 90 y/o mom is socially distanced in our home, with all her needs catered to by my family. We did her birthday celebration via Zoom on February 14th. And I had my vaccine.
In reflection, I realized that coming out of this terrible
period is doable. There is light at the end of this tunnel. We have to take
care of ourselves, still seek those things that give joy to our lives, hold on
for those moments of triumph, celebrate the lives we have saved, give thanks
for the science of the vaccine, and rejoice for the grace and blessings of
having survived through it all. Simply put, just keep on hanging in there. I
look forward to the future of hope.
Alicia Keys’ “Good Job” By One Voice Children’s Choir
