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Category: Chamber Corner Chamber Corner
Published: 16 February 2021 16 February 2021

This pandemic is hitting too close to home and it's time we sent it packing! I learned this week of two deaths due to COVID 19 which are, frankly, two deaths too many! These deaths have sent families and friends reeling with emotions because of deaths that have come all too soon. I won't share the names of those who've passed, out of respect for the families affected, but I want them to know that our community mourns with them and prays that they find peace and comfort in knowing that our creator has a plan for our lives which we may never fully understand.

A friend of our family lost a brother to the effects of COVID 19 recently and a cousin of mine, recently succumbed to this dreaded virus. Our friend's brother was somebody who she spent time with, and whose families were closely connected. Although we weren't that close, hearing about my cousin's death brought a lot of memories flooding back to me. The loss of these two family members were sudden and unexpected and have left Grand Canyon-sized holes in the lives of two families.

I'm reminded of the times that we used to spend with my youngest sister and her husband when our kids were small. We didn't do "ground breaking" things together but the memories we created were monumental. We usually went camping or fishing or maybe just out to dinner on a whim. We spent time at local sporting events mostly chatting and laughing more than watching the game. We especially loved being able to watch the games where one of our kiddos was playing. We went to church together and then to a family breakfast or lunch. Again, nothing huge but the memories! We lost my sister two years ago, to a series of strokes, but it's still as raw today as on that awful day when she died.

When you lose a loved one whom you've spent time with, you are reminded of their loss every time you do what used to be second nature. When you call just to say "hello" or when you think of their favorite food they used to eat. Retraining your brain to accept the loss of a loved one is much easier said than done.

Our friend who lost their brother now will have to endure life with a gaping hole in it and work everyday to try to mend their broken hearts. My cousin's family is barely starting to cope with their loss which will take time to heal. Sudden or not, virus or terminal disease, the death of a beloved family member is one that is hard to endure.

COVID has ravaged our country and, if you don't know anybody personally who has died or become seriously ill due to its effects, you will. In New Mexico alone we have had 180,761 cases with 3,538 deaths. In Grant County we have been in the yellow category for average cases and positivity rates and we are on a trajectory to get us to the green. We are not out of the woods yet but together we can get there!

I wish I could turn back time and take us all back to March 13, 2020 where I would shout from the bell tower at Western New Mexico University that we could avoid the deaths of our friends and family members. I wish I could go back and tell people that it was all going to be okay. I wish I could change the past, but I cannot. I can only try to influence the future.

Today I want to tell you to keep social distancing. Keep wearing your masks. Cover your face when you cough or sneeze. Wash your hands often with HOT water and soap. Stop touching your face. Stop being stubborn, It's a public health thing not a political thing. Stop touching your spouse and remember to use hand sanitizer, even if it smells yucky! One of those I threw in just to see if you're paying attention but you should remind your spouse to shower immediately upon their return home if they work in a social environment.

It's been a long road since March 2020 and, sadly it's not over yet, but if we continue to do our part, we can get through this without any more needless deaths. Melissa and Natalie, we're praying for you and your families. May God Bless you and We love you!

For the latest updates from the NM Department of Health by going to this link: https://cvprovider.nmhealth.org/public-dashboard.html or go to www.grantcountycoronavirusupdate.org.