Words of the Week: May 27, 2020

May 26, 2020

Remembrance 

The following passage was written by Texas Children’s Chaplain Natalie Peters.

This week marks a national holiday, Memorial Day, during which we remember fallen members of the military. As a chaplain, I can identify with the significance of this day but believe it fits a wider audience, especially this year. The world has experienced so much loss and change over the past few months, I can’t help but feel that every day could be Memorial Day.

Memorial Day signifies the fallen and the world has fallen victim to coronavirus. We all have fallen victim in one way or another whether it be having a personal connection to the stories we hear about the virus, knowing someone who has tested positive for the virus or having heard stories about the virus. All of our lives have been uprooted on so many levels. Businesses are struggling to survive, families are still contending with visitor restrictions, and so on and so forth. Many have fallen victim to this pandemic and we are often caught remembering what life was before.

The Oxford Dictionary defines remembrance as: “The action of remembering something. A flash of understanding or remembrance passed between them.” We all are having to digest that life after the pandemic will never be the same, and we all are trying to define and navigate our new normal. Remembering is part of that process. Remembering people, experiences, places, even moments helps us move on.

Music has always been a huge part of my life. I was in band from middle school through college and my parents instilled in me a love for music from at an early age. As a result, I have quite an eclectic mix of music that speaks to me. I am an avid concertgoer and was looking forward to seeing so many great shows this summer and fall but that all has changed as tours have been postponed or canceled altogether. I will miss being able to sing my favorite songs with crowds of people. I remember moments from concerts where the performer hits the note just right, gets the crowd going, and strikes an emotional cord. These experiences have given me a lot of joy, and I do not know how they will look from here on out.

As I dwell on my concert experiences from the past, I also look forward to the future. I will be able to enjoy my concerts again. It will look and feel drastically different but as I remember what used to be, I am reminded of just how much to look forward to. The events of the past and how we have experienced them individually and communally propel us into the future and our new normal. I believe these new normal will include dining at your favorite restaurant, seeing your family, being able to travel and so much more. As we remember the past and the fallen, let’s continue to work together as a family and navigate our ‘new normal together.