I'm Numb As You Can Imagine

I'm Numb As You Can Imagine

A Text From a Former Student

In The Midst of the COVID 19 Virus

West Chester, PA

June 2020

In April I received word that my friend, Mary Ann, died of COVID.  She had a compromised lung system and contacted the virus on a Wednesday and died on a Saturday.  So I hunted down her daughter, Stephanie, who is also a former high school student of mine.  We chatted on the phone for over an hour and it was nice to hear her voice as I hadn't seen her for five or six years.

In June, I woke up to a text from Stephanie.

HER: "Hello Dr. Kelly, I wanted to let you know that my dad died yesterday from complications from COVID 19.  I am numb as you can imagine.  Hope you are doing well."

ME: "OMG, Are you fucking kidding me!  May I come see you today or tomorrow?"

HER: "Well, in addition to this fucking news, I have been dealing with a terrible case of vertigo.  I am laying low for a while and feeling crappy. I'll definitely let you know when I am up for hanging out".

ME: "I am without words to comfort you.  All I can say is, I am so very sorry".

HER: "Thank you, my friend".