“He’ll strengthen you with His righteous right hand.” ~ Isaiah 41:10
Two years ago this month, Ava’s Dad
was hospitalized with Covid-19.
Protocols banned her from visiting him, hugging him or holding his hand
as the disease ripped through his body.
Ultimately, Ava got the news she’d been dreading - he wouldn’t get
better. It was time to let him go.
For teenagers like Ava, the pandemic changed life forever,
from morning routines to life goals and priorities. For a while, she smoldered with resentment;
rage nearly consumed her.
They say anger is the guardian
of sadness; that the only escape is vulnerability. So, she wrote this letter confronting COVID
with the silver linings she’d later glean from the experience.
Dear COVID:
We, the citizens of the world,
are rising up as a global healing community.
We’re shining our Light to announce that we acknowledge YOU, have
mobilized against YOU, and realize that YOU actually arrived to teach us that
we must change! We can no longer be who
we’ve been because it wasn’t working. YOU
won’t survive our healing Light.
But we’re not
powerless! On the contrary, we’re all working
together to make the world a better place. Not those empty New Year’s resolutions - but
permanent changes!
The vulnerability you caused
has made us more empathetic to others’ misfortunes. We have a greater
capacity for giving than we thought possible; that expressions of kindness are
the ultimate stress busters and create a virtuous cycle.
It’s also pretty clear to us
that we don’t need so much stuff, or as many conveniences as we’ve become
accustomed to. We’ve found the money for
that which is necessary; material has become largely immaterial.
Relationships have become even
more valuable. Not only do we appreciate
loved ones’ presence more (simple touches feel like magic), we’ve learned the
importance of telling them how important they are and how unimportant petty
grievances and resentments are.
YOU’VE deepened our sense of
humanity - something that when scaled up will build kinder, more connected
societies. Our communications have
become more purposeful; words more carefully chosen to elevate those around us,
even strangers.
COVID, it’s now time for you
to leave! Our healthcare and first
responders; mass transit, grocery, and transport workers; and all other
essential workers need rest.
We’re stronger now – better at change and resiliency; more comfortable being uncomfortable! Working together for the common good has
helped weaken YOU and will help us solve other worldwide problems requiring
teamwork - like poverty, ethnic violence, and climate-based challenges.
We appreciate what YOU’VE shown
us. Our global healing community will
continue to shine healing Light as YOU depart.
Ava
