When I did reach you there was blood on your nose, lip, cheek, and head, and there was grass in your mouth. Your arm was limp and curved slightly. My first thought was you had possibly dislocated your shoulder or had broken one or several bones in your arm. Now I know that you were simply coming out of unconsciousness, so you did not quite have control of your limbs.

I am grateful to have volunteered as a cross country, basketball, and baseball coach this school year, so my CPR and First Aid training was fresh. I know this provided some help in my initial check on how banged up you were. However, even with that training, this was something I had never experienced with either you or your siblings. This accident looked as if it could have snapped your neck, your spine, cracked your head open, or possibly all three.

Or worse.

Dearest Eva,

It is seven hours since your accident and there are tears in my eyes as I write this. Tears of concern and tears of fear.

I was just telling your mother yesterday that regretfully I cannot agree with folks that argue those of us not infected by COVID-19 should not talk about the blessings this shelter in place world has brought us. My argument was that if we as individuals can never see blessings when others are suffering, then no one would ever have cause for celebration, as human suffering is always abundant on our planet. It does not mean we do not pray for the sick and grieve for the dying, but we must acknowledge the newfound blessings that have entered our lives.