Christmas Grief and COVID-19

The views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not necessarily those of Breaking Belize News.

Dr. Kendra Flores-Carter is the Published Author of the textbook Medical Social Work Practice: A Christian Approach, Professor of Social Work at California Baptist University and a Researcher in the Social and Behavioral Sciences field. An advocate for social justice and change, she has dedicated her career to help bring awareness to disparities in healthcare experiences and various issues affecting women and children of Color.

By Dr. Kendra Flores-Carter: The year 2020 has been so overwhelming and sad for us. We opened the new year filled with hopes and dreams of fulfilling our new year’s resolutions and living our best lives. For many of us 2020 was going to be the year we did all the things we wanted to do but never did the years before. It was the year we would grow into ourselves and do great things to remind us of how brilliant we could be when we put our minds to achieving and accomplishing things. Most of us were on the right path towards our goals until the end of February beginning of March when the coronavirus began to spread globally. Like many, when we first heard of coronavirus we weren’t as surprise and believe it was something that would come and go away like many other viruses we’ve had over the years. Unfortunately, COVID-19 was here to stay and wreak havoc on us. Many of us have loss co-workers, friends, husbands, wives, children and loved ones. We are sad and feeling lost more than we ever did before. Our hearts are aching some even broken over the loss we’ve experience due to coronavirus. For many of us we are jobless, moneyless, and now facing becoming homeless.

I constantly hear the echoing voice of my 5-year-old saying I hate coronavirus. As a mom it breaks my soul. I constantly ask myself when everything will be fine again for my children. They are constantly missing their school, friends, and teachers. Our children are so saddened by the fact that they could only drive by the parks instead of playing on the swings. They are upset that they have to sit in the parking lots of their favorite restaurant instead of going inside to have a family meal. They are devastated that they can’t go to their grandparents’ home to spend time together like they did before COVID-19. Before the coronavirus many of us had less to worry about. Our lives weren’t perfect, but we were happy and living in comfort.

Over the last few months many things have changed in many of our lives because of COVID-19. Several of us will spend this Christmas without our loved ones close and near. COVID-19 have forced us to isolate ourselves from the world outside. For many of us who are social beings this is extremely difficult. The reality of COVID-19 is hitting many of us as we get ready to end the year and begin a new one. If only we could have a 2020 do-over.

Today our world is filled with Christmas grief. Christmas is supposed to be one of the most joyful times of the year. We usually, celebrate the birth of Jesus with our families and friends. Unfortunately, this year we are being urged not to do any gatherings due to the pandemic. Not only are we missing our love ones this Christmas but honestly, how could any of us be joyful when many are facing evictions, being without work, and hardly making ends meet to eat a daily hot meal. The continuous day to day struggle to see normal life again is so real for us.

Despite all this havoc, there seems to be light at the end of the tunnel. We now have vaccines that will help curve the spread of the coronavirus. Even though, we are forced to celebrate this holiday season differently I urge everyone to stay safe, wear masks, and continue to practice social distancing. This Christmas will not be the same for us, but we still have things to be grateful for. I personally am grateful to still have life as many have loss theirs. I’m happy to still have a family, a home, and warmth. We could spend the time complaining and being sad or find the few things that we are grateful for this Christmas. Let’s not make it all about the grief of coronavirus rather celebrate the time we have with our love ones and the things God’s blessed us with despite COVID-19.

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