FEATURELOOK
By Louise Tucker Jones
Sandi Patty’s Great Gratitude
Symptom free for weeks, Sandi shares her COVID-19 recovery Sandi Patty, renowned singer, songwriter, author, and illness and says if she can be that face then that is helpful. Grammy and Dove award winner many times over, has again Patty and her husband are now five weeks symptom free but landed in the spotlight. Only this time, it’s not for her incredible are so thankful for the support they received from friends and voice and stellar performances. In March, Patty tested positive their church family. Someone was often dropping off food so she for COVID-19. wouldn’t have to cook while feeling so ill. They might get a text She had been traveling the week prior to her illness and saying, “I left some chicken soup at the curb.” She laughed and assumes she picked up the virus at an airport. Her first said, “Of course they knew we were home.” symptoms presented with a cough and inability to take a deep Their faith is definitely their foundation, says Patty who is breath along with body aches. “My skin actually intrigued with Bible stories. She likes to tell how hurt,” said Patty, “and it felt like someone We have to be wise Noah’s 40 days on the ark were just the storm, pushed an elbow into my sternum. It felt like not the aftermath. Noah’s family actually and good stewards of spent twelve and half months in the ark. But weights all over my body.” Her doctor insisted the situation she test for COVID-19 and found that she and one verse that is especially dear to her says, her husband, Don Peslis, were both positive but And God remembered Noah. “We will have an did not require hospitalization. aftermath of this storm,” says Patty. “But God has given faith and Patty says she can definitely see how this could wreak havoc wisdom. We have to be wise and good stewards of the situation.” for someone with a pre-existing condition, saying it’s easy Patty and her husband are sheltering-in-place at home, seeing to underestimate it. She urges everyone to follow the CDC this as a way to care for others as well as themselves. “Love guidelines, saying you can be a carrier and not know it. She also means fighting for the highest good in another,” says Patty. has great compassion and concern for health workers. “If me “That’s how we can love our neighbor.” She also states that this staying home, social distancing, and wearing a mask will keep pandemic has made them more mindful of little things and they just one health care worker from getting sick, it’s worth it. We have great gratitude. can’t afford our front liners to get sick.” The couple is also celebrating the recent birth of their 5th One statistic suggests that 78% of people don’t know anyone grandchild whom they will visit when it is safe. But for now, these personally with the virus, and because of that, some tend to grandparents are doing FaceTime with their newest little angel. believe the crisis isn’t real. Patty suggests putting a face to the 18
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