While inspiration and insight are typically my jam… there are days where my thoughts are dark and deep.

A man named George died this morning.

Today I’ve been stumped by this thought: Covid kills, indiscriminately… without malice, reason, or judgement.

At the end of the day, we’ll once again hear the numbers of deaths resulting from #covid. Perhaps 1 of those lives represents someone you knew or loved?

Today for the first time since it began, those numbers represent someone who was part of my life for a long time. Today those numbers include my step-father, who entered my life 36 years ago.

We were never especially close. But a few months ago he reached out, unexpectedly.

Our conversation was brief, he was never one for getting sappy or emotional.

He asked if I remembered the time I tried calling him ‘Daddy.’

He reminded me why he said No. ‘You already have a dad, so it’s best you call me something else.’

Just like the 446,330 Americans who lost their lives to Covid, he died in isolation, alone.

I’m overwhelmed with empathy and grief for all the lives which have ended this way. It’s a different kind of pain loved ones much continue to endure.

While I attempt to go through my day as ‘normal’ as possible, I’ve found myself reflecting on the life of George Sakmar and the loved ones he leaves behind.

May peace be with you all.