Bill Leslie: Pandemic pain

One of the many cruel aspects of COVID-19 has been its power to postpone our celebrations and extend our sorrows.

My neighbors Jim and Kathy texted our cul-de-sac families last weekend suggesting we all gather outside our homes at 10 a.m. on Memorial Day and sing the Star Spangled Banner.

With proper social distancing we belted out our best rendition of the national anthem.

The first round of singing became contagious. Other neighbors heard the music and decided they wanted to be part of it. We sang the song again.

We broke into applause when one young couple brought their two-month old baby born early in the pandemic. It was the first time we had seen the beautiful girl in person. We all had to choke back our tears.

Recently my wife Cindy saw an emotional Facebook post from the family of a dear friend. Brenda Guenther was a beloved special education teacher in Wake County Schools. Cindy worked with Brenda at Salem Elementary.

Brenda had successful heart transplant surgery at Duke University Hospital on April 10 but was not allowed in-person family visits during her recovery due to the pandemic. She was making progress and seemed to be doing well.

Unfortunately, Brenda suffered a devastating stroke seven days after the transplant. The family was finally allowed to visit the hospital and say goodbye. Brenda died on April 20.

Brenda wanted to donate her organs and thanks to her generosity four people are alive today with transplanted organs.

Last weekend, members of the Guenther family gathered at Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia. It was one of Brenda’s favorite places.

When Brenda’s daughter Kerry arrived, she noticed a beautiful rainbow arching across the lake. This spectacle helped the family feel the spiritual presence of Brenda.

Brenda’s daughter Rachel described the scene.

“The weather was magical and the company…just what my soul needed. Being happy and sad at the same time is definitely the hardest part.”

There are so many of us still grieving over Brenda’s death. We look forward to a time when we can all gather and truly celebrate her beautiful life.

This story from Smith Mountain Lake reminded me of a Memorial Day report in the New York Times. It was the story of another family feeling the presence of their recently departed loved one.

“It felt as if she were with us one last time, briefly resurrected by the sheer power of our collective love, to share that closing prayer, the parting glass, the final hug.”

So many of us have suffered emotional pain from the pandemic due to canceled funerals, weddings, graduations and birthdays. There has been more than enough sorrow to go around.

Never again will we take for granted the rituals of celebration and grief.