Dear Carl by Anna Friend

Dear Carl,

My Shirley is in the hospital. She has COVID. About a week after Thanksgiving, she had a high fever and called me. She told me not to come over but to pray. She asked me to get tested, although I had not seen her for several days. I did not want to worry you, but I got tested. I am negative. I am also now isolated in this cottage because I cannot risk the exposure. COVID has reared its rage and is rampantly infecting our small county. This world has become scary for me. Preacher Larry had told me to start with the book of John when my Bible was new. I found this underlined in my Bible:

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. (John 14:27 ESV)

Well, out of the woodwork came a daughter of Shirley’s. Shirley had a son. I spent time with him. No one mentioned a daughter. The woman is gorgeous with long hair shining as copper like her mother. She came to my door but did not come in. Though her head hardly lifted, I saw her eyes swollen and veined red. Her first words were “sorry, but none of us will see her again. All we have is memories.” She proceeded to tell me that because of Shirley’s chemo treatment and her battle, she will not live. She left after telling me that her mom had left some things for me. She had to have Shirley’s apartment disinfected, and all items treated. Neither she nor I will ever see her again. With the rise in COVID numbers, no hospital visits, no Hospice visits, and no gifts or cards can be sent. Her daughter is communicating her words through a nurse. I was told since I am not family there will be no communication from me. We will see about that! There is a son, grandchildren, and this beautiful woman she leaves behind. This woman child of Shirley’s will stay nameless for me. She came too late for her mother. Yes, Carl, I am angry. I am most deeply hurt.

Son, I have not put up one thing for Christmas. I am healthy and well. I still thankfully have my mind. However, there are boxes everywhere. I am arranging for a donation truck to come get them. Things are just things. I kept a few valuable items, both monetarily and sentimentally. I am going to rock Donna’s world. I am taking her up on the offer to move in with you both. I prayed with Preacher Larry about this. By the way, Sarah is back in my life dropping off groceries and tending errands for me.

Son, I will be home for Christmas. This is happening fast—I send this letter first to let everything settle in for you. Donna will need to be picked up off the floor. Call me, Son. I have money for a ticket, but I get confused with them accents of the airline people on the phone. I am told to do it online on my cell phone. Is that a joke? I tell them the accents are the same on the cell phone. Merry Christmas son, I look forward to conversations with you, Carl.

Love, Mom

PS: By the way, Queen Sheba needs to come with me. She is purring around my legs. She does not want me to forget her.

I lift up my eyes to the hills.