By Sherry Kennedy Brownrigg

 


My mother and I look just alike. When I walk down the street in her small western Nebraska hometown, people have stopped me and said, “You must be Sarah Jane DeWitt’s daughter!” I’m so proud when that happens because even at 85, my mom is absolutely beautiful inside and out.

Due to the Covid-19 lockdown in her senior living facility, I haven’t seen my mom for almost four weeks. I miss her bright smile, her laughter, her focus on anyone else we might meet during our regular outings. We talk every day on the phone and by video, but these days her smile is less frequent and her laughter muted.

God is Not Surprised

The pandemic has caused us to take a fresh look at seniors; to reflect on their value in our society and to each of us individually, and this is a good thing. But for those seniors like my mom who are going through it now—isolated, lonely, and missing the mental stimulation they so vitally need — there is very little we can do except pray.

Fortunately, God is not surprised by any of this. He knows what’s happening, He hears our prayers for our loved ones, and He will not abandon us or them in our need. But He does call upon us to love even more during this time of pandemic – to go beyond our comfort zone and put aside our own worries to see the suffering and needs of others.

A Caring Shepherd

There’s no doubt it can be difficult to do this. We don’t know what will happen in the future, but we do know one thing for certain. Our God will be there to shepherd and care for us – and our moms, too.

 

About the author:

Sherry Kennedy Brownrigg is a 1992 convert to Catholicism and devoted to her faith. She runs a classical music radio station in Omaha, NE, and is a certified appreciative coach. Sherry and Steve, her husband of 28 years, dote on their many nieces and nephews and golden retriever Gilly.