Living Life

I have been writing blog posts for the past year and a half, many focused on the coronavirus pandemic impact on families following a loved one’s death. I sincerely hope that my thoughts have helped folks begin to reconcile tragic circumstances. Today’s blog shifts the focus to myself and my family.

Last week I became a member of a growing “club”… the Fully Vaccinated, Twice Boosted but Positive-Tested Club (FVTBPT). You do not want to be a member of this club. My symptoms the first few days were bad headaches, sore throat, zero appetite, the two-Kleenex boxes worth of sinus drip, and intermittent fevers. And if that is not enough, I believe a bit of hallucinating dreams. Fortunately, most all of these symptoms gradually subsided after about Day 4.

I isolated in my second floor “office” for these first 4-5 days. Unfortunately, during this time, I learned that both my daughters also tested positive. I tended to one daughter at home whose symptoms relaxed over a much longer period of time. My wife stayed away from all of us!

The experience has given me a few bits of inspiration. After joining the FVTBPT Club, I found myself having more empathy for those who have experienced Covid. During two weeks in June, the average of new Covid cases in the U.S. hovered around 100,000 daily cases. One article said we have gone from a pandemic emergency to an endemic predictability.   

Until now, I did not advertise my FVTBPT Club membership. I told only a few folks with whom I had meetings scheduled and/or interacted with regularly. I followed the Health Department guidelines: staying home for five days, wear a mask around others at home, and again in public places for a couple weeks. I encourage everyone to stay vigilant.

Over the past month, my heart hurt for Uvalde, my body hurt from Covid, but my soul rests with loving others in my family, friends, and faith community. I have been praying for those suffering from illness, loneliness, sadness and loss.  Lately, with the rise of mass shootings and the complicated divisiveness in our country, I yearn for more genuine love and empathy from humanity.  The Bible’s message to  “love one another” found in the Gospel of John (John chapter 13, verse 34) and the Letters of John (1 John 4, verse 12) are favorites of mine. I really believe a deep peace will follow for those who offer genuine compassion and empathy to others. Be At Peace, friends!