Before you left, you had a trial run. You came back to let us know where you were going, that it was with us. All three of us out at the lake. Just fishing. Not a care in the world. No scrambling for meds to patch together what COVID tore apart. And without that, I would forever ask myself why I didn’t do more.

But now, you’re waiting. Whole and perfect, kind and empathetic. And we will fight even harder so your story isn’t repeated.

I’ll cry every day though …

This story is an ongoing collective remembrance. Please send us your stories to add to the narrative. You can use this website’s contact and/or story submission form.
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Thoughts from the March to Remember, 8.6.2022: A story-in-progress

Why did we walk? To remember, to honor, to share our stories …

From: Debra McCoskey Reisert:

I walked to honor my brother, Bobby McCoskey. If he’d been walking beside me, he would have been smiling, wearing his favorite tie-dye sweatshirt, and making new friends. He loved everyone.

From Alissa Femia:

We walked to remember our dad and grandpa, Michael Perna. His smile lit up any room and he made everyone feel welcomed. He loved his family and the Jersey Shore. We miss him every day.
XO Rachel, Andrea & Alissa

From Savina Maraj:

I walked in honor of my father, Indarjit Benny Maraj, who passed on April 29, 2020 from Covid complications. He was a man full of life, love and fun. My father was such a huge part of my life along with my brother and my mom. One of his favorite things to do in the summer was go to the beach. I treasure a photograph I have of him at his last beach visit.
I live in Queens, NY and I have two brothers named Neil and Samir Maraj. My mother is Lillian Maraj. And our dog is Snoopy.

From Ed Koenig:

I walked to honor my partner Jody and all the spouses of our Monday Spouses Zoom group. It’s a joy to finally meet everyone in person and remember our loved ones.

From Lina Calvache:

I walked in honor of my husband, Edgar Calvache Sr.
Next year would have been our 50th wedding Anniversary.
I love and miss you Edgar.

Jon and I were married for 34 years. We shared our homes with 3 different dogs: Goliath, Augie the first, and Augie. Jon loved his pups. He was a big animal lover. Our home in Oxford has lots of birds and deer, which made Jon happy.

Stifled giggles, impish whispers — you heard them all with your radar ears. Summers filled with swimming, baseball, treehouses; the best memories of any childhood formed under your watchful eyes. You had one child, but you created a community of children, and all of us miss you so much. Every soccer game, every sleepover — you will always be there.

I will miss the feel of your long whiskers scratching my face as you kissed my cheeks — like it was always the first time you saw me, with the smell of your Old Spice & Brut.

My Dad, my first and forever love,
Your Dimple Cheek.