As of this morning, Thursday, June 4, the Raleigh News & Observer reported that Covid-19 has claimed the lives of 999 North Carolinians.
We, the staff of Partners in Health and Wholeness, join with all those across our state in grieving not only this staggering, collective loss — but the loss of each, unique, individual life — each precious story. From our retirement homes, our prisons, our churches, our factories and plants, our classrooms, our grocery stores and hospitals and post offices and all places that provide services we too often take for granted — their stories have defined our own in ways that we can’t even always see or understand. They have shaped us as a people, as North Carolinians. They have shaped our faith. And today, we hold the pain of their families and loved ones as our own.
We also remember that love, the essence of the Divine, is stubbornly resilient. And that the Paschal Mystery always — always — leads to resurrection.
Blessed are those who mourn — for they shall be comforted.