Typing with a heavy heart today, after receiving some bad news yesterday.
I have often written on here that I have so far been unaware of any personal connection to the pandemic, and didn’t know of anyone who had contracted the virus.
Now that has changed.
One of my dearest and oldest friends is dying from complications of Covid-19. A man I have known and loved for 51 years, through the thick and thin of our lives. He was the best man at my first wedding, and I did the same at his. He had underlying health conditions, having endured Osteomyelitis in his youth, then going through dialysis and kidney transplant in middle age. I had got used to him being ill, and often marvelled at how he managed to pull through at times of medical crisis.
Then along came the Coronavirus.
He has declined to be sedated and connected to a ventilator, choosing pain-killing drugs and being conscious to the end. He is not going to see his yet-unborn grandchild, and is likely to be denied the chance of a last visit from anyone dear to him too. To keep them safe.
No doubt he will be added to the tragic numbers of people in this country officially lost to the virus. But this is the real impact of knowing someone who is on that list. The heartbreak, the flooding back of memories, concern for his pregnant daughter, and knowing how his loss will affect not only his immediate family, but our wider circle of friends too.
I will walk Ollie today, thinking about my friend. Then I will sit in a chair in the garden this evening, still thinking about him.
And he knows he will never be forgotten, and will always be loved.
I don’t know you but I want you to know that I’m sorry. Your friend will always be with you. Warm regards from Papua New Guinea.
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Thanks, Denyce. That is very kind of you.
Best wishes, Pete.
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So sorry about your friend. Please take care! Sending love
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Thanks very much.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Sorry to hear about your friend. I am eager for this pandemic to be over, as I am sure we all are. It has all been too much to bear.
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I fear we will all have to live with this virus threat for a long time to come yet.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
THESE ARE NOT JUST NUMBERS—THEY’RE PEOPLE LOVED AND CHERISHED BY FAMILY AND OTHERS!
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indeed…a heavy load to bear! I’ll pray for your consolment!
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Thanks for your kind words, and the reblog.
Best wishes, Pete.
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That;s what I’m here for, Pete. :0)
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Guys it appears to me that second and more powerful wave of covid pandemic is going to hit all of us in June or July, let’s take care of all our near and dear. Take maximum precautions and try to do something good for society, poor people, needy , helpless etc. god has given us life to do something good and it’s a chance to show it now. Take care
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We know for sure it hasn’t gone away, and can only hope that the predicted spikes in infections are not as bad as we fear.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I am so sorry for your loss, Pete!
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Thanks very much, Abbi. It still seems hard to believe I will never see him again.
Best wishes, pete.
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I am so sorry to read this, Pete. I study the daily stats across the world and it is easy to forget sometimes that behind every tragedy someone passed to the next world without their family by their bedside. COVID has brought many horrors to our lives …
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Thanks, P. I. P. Yes, my friend died on the Saturday following the post, and now most of us can’t even go to his funeral.
Best wishes, Pete.
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{{{virtual hugs}}}}
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I am so sorry for your loss, Pete! It really sounds horrible not to be taking part on the funeral ceremony. Sometimes i really cant understand this “virus thing”. One time the are reopen all, the other time the virus is so harmful killing people in different situations.Here in Germany they are preparing for vacancy outside the country, wearing only these tissue masks. I can not understand what sense does it make wearing only a mask saving others, but getting no FPII masks. Michael
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The paper based masks are not effective after five minutes anyway. They just make people feel safer.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Thank you for this. My menaning too.
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I’m so sorry, Pete. Every life lost during this pandemic is a tragedy. Our tiny state of Massachusetts has had over 7,000 deaths. Best to you, and my deepest sympathy.
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Thanks very much, Jennie. He died on Saturday, and it still doesn’t feel ‘real’.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I am really sorry about this. I hope he rests in peace. I know how you feel, I have been through that and I still feel the pain but he is with you in your heart. Take care pete. I hope you feel better. 😞💔
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I am so sorry pete. This is a bad time. I hope you are feeling better now. My prayers and wishes are with both him and his family. 😞
Stay Safe❤✌😞
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He died last Saturday, Suzan. Of course, I am still feeling very sad.
Best wishes, Pete. xx
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My deepest condolences-I am just so sorry. I am glad that he had your friendship. love Michele
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Thanks very much, Michele. It is a hard time for all his family and friends.
Best wishes, Pete. x
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I am very sorry to hear sad news. I feel the true human cost of this epidemic is never really captured.
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Thanks for those kind words, Hannah.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I’ve read your other post about Brian. Sad news made even sadder by the circumstances, but he’ll never be forgotten. Thinking of you all.
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Thank very much, Olga.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I think it was very brave of him to not use the ventilator. He must have suffered but he also endured. As he passes his legacy will endure even more with memories of him and his family. I pray for his daughter in this difficult time.
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Thanks, Lloyd. The doctors were honest, and he would have died on the ventilator anyway. He chose to be conscious for his last hours. I hope I could be that brave.
Best wishees, Pete.
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Me too Pete.
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OMG I am sorry to hear that Pete 😦 My sympathies go out to you, your family and his family during this difficult time 😦
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Thanks, John. He died on Saturday aftenoon. He is at peace now.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I am so sorry to read this post, Pete. Very difficult times at the moment.
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Thanks, Robbie. Since I posted this, he died yesterday afternoon. It has affected me badly this weekend, and no doubt will for some time.
Best wishes, Pete.
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