This holiday season presents us with a choice: we can treat it like any other year and hope for the best, or we can prioritize safety and stay at home, keeping our gatherings limited to those within our household. It’s just one year out of many ahead, or at least we hope so.
My daughter, Lily, was a vibrant 13-year-old who radiated joy and ambition. In July, she excitedly returned to her summer dance camp, participating in a small class of six kids, all wearing masks—a small sacrifice to engage in what she loved.
However, just two days after her class, she began to feel unusually fatigued. Given her ongoing battle with an autoimmune condition, we assumed it was simply a result of her returning to dance after a break. We kept her home to rest, and for two days she played video games, snacked, and relaxed. Unfortunately, our assumption couldn’t have been more wrong.
That Friday morning, after eating, she took a nap. When she woke up, something felt terribly amiss, and I rushed her to the hospital. As we waited, praying for her recovery, our sweet Lily passed away. The details of that day are etched in my memory, replaying endlessly. It was only after her passing that we learned she had tested positive for COVID-19.
This year has become a series of painful “firsts” for us. We celebrated her birthday without her, faced our first Thanksgiving without her, and now we are approaching our first Christmas in her absence. Our lives will forever be altered.
Many insist that young people are not severely affected by COVID-19, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Lily was young, full of life, and on the cusp of exciting new experiences. Now, those dreams will never come to fruition. I will never witness her star in her first major play, support her through her first heartbreak, or beam with pride at her high school graduation. To me, she will always remain thirteen.
It could happen to any of us—going about our lives when COVID-19 suddenly intrudes like a freight train. I assure you, the sadness of missing holiday gatherings pales in comparison to the void left by the loss of a loved one. The grief is so overwhelming that at times, it feels suffocating.
I urge anyone reading this to reconsider your plans. Please take all necessary precautions, even if it means forgoing in-person family traditions this holiday season. Your family’s safety should be the priority, ensuring they’re here for many more years to come. You might feel fine, but your loved ones may not. The risk of exposure is real and more significant than many want to acknowledge. Think of those you care about.
This virus can affect anyone, regardless of age or health status. Remember that you could unknowingly transmit the virus, even if you show no symptoms. None of us are immune to carelessness—we might touch a contaminated surface and then touch our faces, or be in close proximity to someone who is asymptomatic. It’s not a question of if you will know someone impacted by COVID-19, but when. The aftermath is nothing but heartbreak.
Please exercise caution this year. Missing out on holiday traditions is challenging, but losing a child means you’ll never celebrate those traditions again, forever leaving an empty chair at your table.
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In summary, the reality of losing a loved one to COVID-19 is a profound and heartbreaking experience. As we approach the holidays, it’s crucial to prioritize safety, take necessary precautions, and consider the potential risks of gatherings. The pain of loss is immeasurable, and missing holiday celebrations is a small price to pay for the safety of family and friends.
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