Written by Emma Breckwoldt
Illustrated by Estella Sun
"The news keeps calling us the heroes, but I am just doing my job."
Margaret - Age 30
Enjoy the time with your family, they said.
What they didn’t say was enjoy losing your job.
I had worked at the diner for years,
But that was all over now.
As I play hide and seek with my children,
I worry about our next meal.
We are low on diapers,
And eggs,
And ten other things.
I lie in bed with the kids sleeping peacefully down the hall
Looking at bills and my insufficient bank account
I guess it was morning because the sun was out
I went to get the newspaper
But that wasn’t all that was on the porch
A 72 pack of diapers sat on the mat with a note
was at the store and thought you might need these.
We will get through this as a community. Love- your neighbor Gale
Yes, we will, Gale.
Yes, we will.
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Annie - Age 35
I can barely feel my legs as I walk to the car. It’s been hours since I sat down.
Today was worse than the day before-
more people coming in and not many leaving.
The news keeps calling us the heroes, but I am just doing my job.
Even though we read about pandemics in school,
I never really thought one would happen like this.
Today I was treating a 20-year-old in one room and an 87-year-old in the next
both the same condition, both struggling to breathe, both fearing for their life.
I pull into my driveway and see my family in the window. They wave as I walk by.
John holding Michael in one arm with Ginny standing against his leg,
How I wish I could hold them, but I can’t risk it.
So I go to the backhouse, falling asleep as I hit the pillow, ready to do it all again tomorrow.
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John - Age 82
I wish you were still here my sweet Nancy
So I could have someone to converse with
I’ve become accustomed to being alone these past 2 years
But I had things to do
People to see
Now
I cannot get near anyone
I cannot even go to the coffee shop that you loved so much down the street
Our sweet Rose and her sons live just across the street
But they can’t come over to play chess
So I sit on the porch while they play in their yard
Getting the occasional wave and hello
But I wish you were here
I need someone to talk to
You always knew exactly what to say But I have to get through this alone
I can’t wait to tell you about it when I see you again.
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Ginny - Age 48
I thought it was a cold
Or maybe just a cough.
But when my temperature rose
I knew something was off.
My sister told me I was overreacting
She said that I just had the flu.
But when I woke up at 3:00 am barely breathing
I knew.
I went to the hospital
and was greeted by a mask in a gown.
The drugs weren’t helping, not even a little
“No machines are available,” they said, “just lie down”.
They asked me how I came into contact
But I did not know.
I had been acting how they told us to act
But still, my breathing was slow.
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