COVID infections are deemed yellow in the state, but I’m not here to talk about statistics. I’m here to talk about my friend, Emily.
Through middle school (actually junior high as it was called in the day) and high school, was sat together, luck of the draw as our maiden last names appeared one after the other alphabetically.
We took the same courses in high school and drove together for our first semester of college until Em zigged while I zagged.
No one was sweeter, more willing to help or least prone to anger.
While we lost touch for a time, we reconnected and met about three or four times a year to reminisce and to catch up on each other’s lives.
Christmastime was one of those occasions to connect, but Emily didn’t make it to Christmas — or even Thanksgiving.
Emily had survived a beloved fiancé dying of cancer when they were in their twenties, beat cancer herself twice and lost a husband more recently. It took COVID-19 to stop her beating heart.
Yes, I’m sad to lose my dear friend, but I can’t help thinking how Em might still be here.
As sweet as Emily was, she was just as stubborn. She believed if someone died it was their time and God’s will. She bought into some of the misinformation about COVID and vaccines.
When she got sick, she sluffed it off as a mere cold, as COVID and RSV may start mild and initially mimic a cold or flu, then she waited to go to the doctor.
She landed in the emergency room, was hospitalized and never made it out.
But it wasn’t her time. We’re the same age and have decades ahead of us — at least she had that promise.
Emily didn’t have to die. Of course, I know that if she had sought treatment earlier, Em may have died anyway, but by not going to a doctor, she robbed everyone who knew and loved her of all those Christmases, Thanksgivings, birthdays and anniversaries, all those chats on the phone and memories.
I’m sad, but part of me is angry. Angry for a senseless loss.
All of this is to say, don’t assume you have a cold — both for your sake and those who love you. Get tested, either at home or the doctor. It’s a small inconvenience and much better than ending up in the emergency room or hospital.
And please get every vaccination you can — flu, RSV, COVID, mumps, measles and the rest. Some of my friends still haven’t gotten flu, RSV and COVID vaccinations yet this winter — and numbers are climbing once again.
Vaccines are a small inconvenience and may save your life, and just because you’ve had COVID doesn’t mean you’re immune. You will carry some immunity from an infection or a vaccine, but that doesn’t last forever.
In the end, if you ask those who love you, if you aren’t in pain, they would wish death far, far away. They want to share whatever time they and you have together. I’ve always thought that God helps those who help themselves. I hope you and those you love do, too.
