For my Mom

 Hard to believe we are almost at the 365 day mark for living in a pandemic.

I remember when it "officially" was called a pandemic. Do you? It seemed like it was never going to hit close to home.

I was worried; sure, yet was still trying to figure out how I could take my already planned April cruise to the Caribbean. 

Tonight I told my kids to be quiet because  I couldn't hear the TV. 

I wanted to listen to the President speak.

He stated that there are more deaths from Covid than WWI, WWII and the Vietnam War COMBINED.

Let that sink in for a second. Or two.

And then I shed a few tears as he told (me) that there will be a time that I will smile when I think of my lost loved one (my Mom) before I cry.

That there were brighter days ahead. 

That we need to take care of each other. EACH OTHER. Our fellow neighbors. Our families and friends. NO MATTER WHAT THEIR POLITICAL PARTY.

I hushed my kids tonight so I could hear the President speak. And then said to them "Isn't it nice that I actually WANT to hear what the President of the United States has to say?" Because for 4 years they were used to me either running from the TV or yelling at the TV. 

Tonight, I hope you join me (and the country) in a moment of silence for those who have died from Covid.

I hope tonight, if your parents are still alive, that you will reach out to them, for no reason other than just to say I love you. 

And when your parents reply "How come you're calling just to say I love you?"

Tell them

Because I can.

Miss you terribly Mom.