Thread by @JulieRohrYEG

"There was never any goodbye. He was just gone. It’s like the world swallowed him up. We could only have 10 people at the funeral, and I didn’t make that list. I break down sometimes, but mostly I’m empty." 1/

washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/10…

"Am I glad to be alive... I don’t know how to answer that. There’s no relief. This virus, I can’t escape it. It’s torn up our family... How many people would have gotten sick if I’d never hosted that weekend? One? Maybe two? The grief comes in waves, but that guilt just sits." 2/

Me talking now. Look- I don't live my life in fear. I don't make decisions based on fear. Fear honestly isn't a familiar or common part of my life, for the most part. But compassion, connection, community and family are all part of my life. This is what I'm passionate about. 3/

And right now, for this season, compassion means being careful.

This is why we take precautions.
This is why we ate outside at Thanksgiving, even in the cold.
This is why we haven't entered a restaurant since March.
This is why we wear masks and keep our distance.
4/

This is why we've taken the (excruciatingly difficult) step of schooling our little one at home for right now.
This is why we don't mind if you scoff, roll your eyes & say "isn't that taking it a little too far?"
No, no it's not.
And I'm not embarrassed to say so. 5/

If you think this whole thing is overblown by the media, it's a hoax, it's not a big deal and we should all be getting back to our 'normal' by now, please read this man's story and ask yourself if you want to be that guy. I'm going to guess the answer is no.
-fin