WRITE TEAM: Conquering COVID-19 with love

I remember when my grandpa told me stories about World War II. Meat was rationed with a stamp. My mother, the oldest of six, had the job of standing in line for the family’s share; however, one week she lost the stamp on her way and her family went without.

The government issued each family several points based on their family size. For example, a pound of bacon cost 30 cents with seven points in the form of stamps. Other items that were rationed included shoes, metal, paper and rubber. When the war ended, all six children loaded up in Grandpa’s blue Chevy for a celebration by buying new bicycles.

Years from today, your grandchildren will be telling their grandchildren about the year 2020. They will tell them about grandmas and grandpas being isolated from their children and grandchildren while spending endless hours alone in bed with just the TV for company.

They will tell them how they learned through a computer at home and the schools were closed. Teachers’ questions were answered through email.

Groceries were bought online and “out of stock” was the common response for certain items, such as toilet paper.

Doctors’ appointments were canceled for fear of the inevitable.

Jobs were lost because nobody dared to venture out while bills still arrived.

Churches allowed only the first 25 to worship, and worship they did without a hymn being sung.

The elderly in nursing homes were protesting that they would rather die from COVID-19 than loneliness.

Each side of the government told different tales of the others lying, deceiving all in the name of power. A week turned to a month and a month to a season as the people stayed hidden in hopes for new beginnings.

The people began to pray as simple pleasures appeared. The iPad was replaced with conversations. Gardens were filling tummies without unhealthy preservatives. Children started decorating their front doors with hearts. People began to appreciate what they had been given. Meals were eaten together around the table once more.

As families emerged from their homes, the skies were a blue never seen before. People started leaving items of need on one another’s doorsteps. GoFundMe accounts helped pay the bills. Hatred for one another began to turn to love. The evil COVID-19 meant to destroy and kill was suddenly becoming no more.

The oceans were filled with fish of all kinds as the waves remained calm. A breath of fresh air no longer contributed to asthma. Allergies were a thing of the past. It was a year of suffering and sacrifice. But it also was the start of new beginnings, blessings and relationships.

The grandchildren then beg Grandpa, “Tell me more how love conquered the virus in the year 2020.”

• Chris Compton is a recently retired multimedia broadcast sales executive living in Princeton. She can be reached at tsloup@shawmedia.com.