As I write this blog, I have become one of the Covid 19 statistics (unofficially). Last week I tested positive on the rapid test. Thank God, the rest of the family tested negative and have not been showing any symptoms. We did the PCR testing and we have not received the results for almost a week now. We are part of the over 50,000 backlog of tests.
I praise God that I had mild symptoms – sore throat, coughing, runny nose, headache, and occasional chills that lasted for about 3 days. The sense of smell and taste are intact and allowed me to enjoy my brother’s delicious cooking. I praise God even more because the rest of the family especially Papa continues to show no symptoms. It would have been unbearable to carry the guilt if they did. Still, I am disheartened that I have disrupted their holiday plans due to isolation.
Our Christmas celebration has been one for the books. I felt loved and cared for as my family made sure I share with the festivities. I took part in the Christmas eve dinner, opening of gifts and even family photo shoot virtually. I am reminded of the days when I was still apart from them. This made me appreciate deeply our togetherness now. I am grateful for the outpouring of prayers and support from dear friends. We kept it within those that we have come in contact with during period of possible incubation and infection. Furthermore, I have shared this Covid journey with another friend (we may have gotten the virus from the same place we went to together). We shared notes and did calls together daily. That to me is God’s provision that we have each other amidst this trial.
I think about those that have experienced tremendous losses due to this pandemic. Now that I have experienced it myself, I can’t imagine those who got Covid during the first wave when little was known about this virus, when there were no vaccinations yet and symptoms were much worse. I think about the fear, the helplessness, the desperation, the uncertainty, and the lack of resources. I think about the isolation and with this discrimination as people have become paranoid and this paranoia prevented the extension of help/care they badly needed.
Beyond this pandemic, I think about the catastrophic events this year including my hometown in the Philippines that got hit by Typhoon Odette (internationally known as Rai) and wiped out most houses/belongings leaving a lot of families homeless, with no power and other necessities. All this happening within Christmas time. Still, the resiliency of Filipinos encourages me. The Christmas celebration continues and connecting with affected family members and friends, all have the same response. They are thankful that family is intact and that their focus is on restoration one day at a time. They inspire me. I am even more blessed to see love in action as people are generously giving and extending any help they can. Their help bringing tears to the affected families and individuals.
We monitor and take note of a lot of statistics that makes us lose sight that behind these numbers, are real people. The number has a face, the number has a family, the number breathes and living life the best they can see how. There’s Orven who lost his Mom due to Covid and when she died, the family can only drive by her remains to their Dad who was in isolation. The scene of his Dad waving goodbye to his wife from afar was truly heart wrenching. There’s Helen who already lost her Dad few months ago when her Mom was struck with Covid and sadly did not make it. There’s Jovy who had to be away from his wife battling Covid in the hospital as he had to be isolated himself. There’s Terecita who had to spend Christmas eve in the hospital to look after her sick brother while leaving her fragile Dad and children at home. Her house still in shambles from the typhoon. There’s Regina, a single Mom who lost her house from the typhoon. There’s Jonah who had to stay at their garage the only portion of the house that’s left with roof. There are countless stories, and I could go on and on.
Before my diagnosis, I was feeling frustrated with the lockdown again because of the surging Covid cases. An in-person Christmas party cancelled, a karaoke night at a friend’s house cancelled, a candlelight Christmas eve service limited to no traditional candle lighting (no worries, we did not attend the service anymore) ... In hindsight, they now pale in comparison with coming face to face with the virus or even thinking about families across the globe experiencing tremendous loss with this pandemic, devastating typhoons/floods, endless wars/conflicts, and other calamities. I tell myself I don’t have any right to complain at all.
In crisis, in trials, in challenges, it makes us aware of the more important things in life. We are grateful for the very life we have. We are alive and can make a difference. We thank the family and loved ones that surround us. Material things become immaterial as we realize they can come and go anytime. Above all, we appreciate the meaning of Christmas. It is not how grand festivities are, how well planned/structured our get togethers are. It is focusing our eyes to the ultimate reason for this celebration and that is our Lord Jesus Christ. He is our Emmanuel, God with us. He came to earth, abandoning His Lordship/Kingship to dwell among us. He knows, He understands, He sees, He cares. Ultimately, He sacrificed Himself as the ONLY way to restore our relationship with the Almighty Father. What a blessing to have a personal relationship with Jesus. I can’t imagine the hopelessness and the desperation without Him in my life. In Him, I know that He holds my future. Life here on earth is temporary. I hold on to His eternal promise – the promise of Heaven with Him.
This pandemic will not end soon. In fact, this is just the beginning of more catastrophes to come. I pray my friend that as you face 2022, you make the decision to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. In Him, there is hope, there is peace, there is joy, there is love. In Him, is a promise of eternity after this earth is gone or death takes us. There will be no more tears, no more pain, no more suffering. It is not by accident that you come across this message. Call on Him, He is waiting for you.
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” – John 14:1-4
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