It was late morning, two years ago today. The live stream of the Divine Mercy Sunday Mass from the rectory at St. Elizabeth’s had just concluded. That seemed apropos of the situation with the novel coronavirus that was ravaging the world. The phone rang and caller ID told me it was the hospital calling with an update on your condition.

I answered the phone wondering who would be the bearer of news that morning. But, today, it was different. The two physicians assistants, Amanda and Edith, and the two RN’s, Becky and Lisa, were all on the line. They had cared for you since you were admitted to the hospital and now seemed so much like family. My stomach dropped. There had to be a reason they were all on the call. And there was. They let me know that you were on the last downhill of the COVID-19 roller coaster. Your breathing and other vitals indicated that your time with us was nearing its end. All I could think was that I would never have the opportunity to say goodbye.

But they surprised me. They asked if I wanted to come to the hospital to see you. I was amazed given that, in those early days of the pandemic, no one was allowed in the hospital. They explained that you had been moved to a hospice unit set up in an isolated part of the hospital with two or three others in your same situation. One family member was being allowed in for a thirty-minute visit. Of course, I jumped at the chance to be with you.

I went downstairs and, luckily, the bus arrived within minutes. I remember nothing about that trip. I sat there trying to accept the fact that this would be the last time I would ever see you: your smiles darkened; your wry sense of humor silenced; your determination to walk again thwarted.

Within minutes, the twenty-two block trip was over. I was at the hospital. Much to my surprise, the doors were all locked – another anomaly in the chaotic world we were navigating. I could see a security guard at a desk inside and waved. He came to the door, unlocked it, and surprised me when he said: “Are you Ed?” I guess the word was out that I had come to see you.