Nov 25, 20212 min read

OUR YEAR OF FIGHTING COVID-WALKING THE COVID ROAD

Updated: Dec 15, 2021

December 24, 2020 marked the beginning of my 6 month hospital stay fighting COVID and the recovery as well as the rehab. September 10, 2021 is the day our beautiful 35 year old daughter - Erin - passed after a month long siege from COVID.

Needless to say, this first Thanksgiving without our precious Erin will be a somber time in our household. Her husband, Alex, misses her in a way that words just can't describe. As the 3 remaining members of our family walk the sometimes torturous road of grief - each in our own way - we still find that our faith carries us, and that there is much to be thankful for.

We are thankful that I am still alive. The medical people tell me there is no way I should be alive. 70 year old men don't survive COVID, they said. But God had other plans. Despite a 6 month hospital stay what with COVID, recovery, and the subsequent rehab. It's quite a story - one which I will write about in a coming blog. The miracles and blessings that have come out of my ordeal are numerous, to sure. I am still recovering 11 months later, but I am here and doing well.

We are thankful for our new son. You see, when Erin passed, I wrote Alex and told him that we did not want our association to end. He wrote back and told me that "when I married you daughter, you gained a son, and that won't change". What a blessing! He is coming up for Christmas, and we look forward to that.

Life goes on to be sure, and by God's faithfulness and grace we will not "grow weary in well-doing". There is so much to be thankful for! We look forward to what God is doing in our lives. Our faith has only been strengthened through all this. We are more resolute than ever. There simply is no better way to live than to "fear God and obey His commands".

Please pray for us and share this blog post as you feel led. We pray our experience ministers to others.

Rev. Dr. N. Patrick Marica contributes incisive Christian commentary on this blog on a regular basis. He is the Vice-Chancellor of Amherst Theological Seminary, and a D. Min. from Amherst Theological Seminary. He has his MA from Liberty University in Marriage and Family Therapy. He is the author of the book: "The Walk Applied". He has also written "The Fasting and Prayer Handbook". He has been married to Kathy since 1985. They have 2 adult daughters and an adult son.