My son, I miss you tremendously–I can’t even put into words. I remember I would walk by your room and the door would be cracked. I would peek through and see you so happy and laughing–just to hear you so happy made me feel a joy inside. That is something I look for and I peek through the crack and I see an empty bed and room so quiet … I miss his laugh. I love you forever, my precious son. Til we meet again–Mama loves you.

Three years ago today, June 7, 2020, I received the dreaded call–my Dad died from Covid. They could not even give me a time, only an estimate.

The morning shift arrives at 8:00 am to make their rounds. So by MY ESTIMATE, they got to his room at “approximately 8:45 am.” When they found him dead.

I’m left with so many questions. Where was the night nurse? They knew he was not doing well, so why weren’t they checking on him? When was the last time someone saw him alive? Why didn’t they go to his room first, knowing his condition?

So I’m left with, “at approximately 8:45 am your Dad passed from Covid.”

I came from away, from Ft. Myers, Florida to be more precise. Although I am fortunate to have not lost a loved one from Covid-19, I attended the reading events online in Louisville and New York because my heart continues to go out to the tens of millions who are still grieving, as expressed in my song “Their Memory Survives.”

These two reading events brought the priceless stories from “Who We Lost,” the book, to life. Hearing the words that were read from the writers in this “Portable Covid Memorial” brought the profound importance of “Who We Lost” to a new level. To actually hear the stories from these brave writers who got up on stage and read their writings to a live audience was emotionally overwhelming to me. Suffice it to say, this experience confirms the fact that the pandemic is far from over. It is not history. I came from away through the magic of online technology.

Really missing my Dad today, a Korean War U.S. Army Veteran. I can still see him sitting in the assisted living dining room, looking out of the large windows watching the Memorial Day parade go by. Then we would enjoy a BBQ lunch together and I would spend the rest of the day with him, watching movies that honored our Veterans.

My husband, Dan Stoyka, would have been 66 years old today and we miss him terribly.

Dan grew up in Detroit, Pontiac, and Onaway, Michigan. He loved the outdoors, hunting, fishing, and riding motorcycles. His two children are Elizabeth and Jaden and his four grandchildren are Zachary, Owen, Avery, and Cora. Dan was a proud veteran and had a heart for those who are homeless.

This is our third birthday without him. We miss him so very much. In his honor, we buy a birthday cake at the store for someone who has ordered one, also for May 26th. We do this anonymously and I put a note in saying that this is in memory of my husband, who died due to Covid. It makes the day special for us and hopefully it brightens someone else’s day too.

I love and miss you, sweetheart.