It was a moment that made you stop....and look and listen. We were driving home from our Florida winter break when radio news began to state that America had crossed another milestone....one that was just so hard to wrap your brain around. 500,000 deaths from COVID-19 since the virus first showed up about a year ago. 500,000....more than all the loved ones buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
The news indicated that President Biden would be commemorating the tragic loss on television at dusk. By then we were home, and unpacking, and watching TV in the background.
As the broadcasters stopped talking and President Biden began the moment became even "heavier"..... I listened to remarks meant to comfort a nation, spoken by a man who knows all too well the grief that accompanies loss of a loved one.
He was "Comforter In Chief" for those few moments and the image of President, First Lady, Vice-President and Second Gentleman bowing their heads for a moment of silence before the bells began to toll at the National Cathedral is one that will stay with me.
My little family hasn't lost anyone to this deadly virus....and for that I am most grateful. But all the other families across America....the collective sadness, quiet, grief....it seems to permeate the air around me. Sadness.....just sadness.....it's hard to find the hope.
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