When you lose someone in Corona Times…

My cousins lost their grandmother a few days ago. I didn’t know what to do or say. I had not seen her for almost 10 months due to Covid social distancing norms. We took all precautions. Yet we lost her.

I wasn’t sure how am I supposed to react to this situation. I was speechless, I was in pain. But not as much as my cousin or her mother, father. They had lost a parent. I didn’t have the courage to talk to them. I didn’t understand how can I participate in this situation when I cant meet them.

Then I decided to call my cousin. It took some courage but the minute I said Hello, the conversation went in its own flow. She was filled with pain and agony. And she was tired. She was sleep-deprived. She wanted to cry her heart out. She wanted help. She wanted someone to take care of basics when she takes her time to grieve.

That’s when I realized that all I have to do is to be there for her. Even if I am not present physically, I called her every day, asked how she was feeling. I let her cry. I would console her on phone.

Then, I started dropping food and other stuff at her home. My mom started cooking for them for a couple of days. Since they were quarantined, I could not go inside and help them with a glass of water. But I could send them fruits and buy medicines and veggies for them.

And it worked well. They felt like someone was there for them. We took care of their responsibilities while they dealt with their pain. They all started recovering, healing. When I called them on the fourth day of the incident, their voices had become better. They were thanking my family for all the support we had provided.

Sometimes, all we have to do for the other person is pick up the phone and talk. Be there for them. Take an extra mile for them for a couple of days. And believe me, it’s you who will feel better. Your helplessness will go away. You will fight your pain through this.

“Those who have left, are always around us; for love never dies. But we need to take care of those who are here and who need us much more than ever before…….”