I often quote writers, philosophers, poets, my parents, and others. Today I want to quote President Joe Biden, who on the eve of his inauguration said, “To heal, we must remember.”

Of course, he isn’t the first or only person that made this statement. But it was notable that he said it relative to the loss of his son, other family members, and the loss of so many Americans to Covid-19

We’re all in this together. When Americans laugh, we laugh together. When Americans cry, we cry together. And when Americans suffer, we suffer together.

On January 19, 2021, America paid tribute to 400,000 who died because of COVID-19. And to date, many more have succumbed to the virus. We grieve together for the loss of so many loved ones. And we will never forget what they meant to us.

Forgetting isn’t an option because their memories live on.

During this pandemic, we lean in and pull each other close by praying for one another. We’re in different states, cities, communities, and households, but prayer brings us closer together.

And sharing the grief puts salve on the hurt. Just think if we had no one to talk to or no one who cared about our suffering. No one should grieve alone.

Jesus understands our pain and griefs. When we confide in him and trust him to make things better, the healing begins. And that’s why God sends comforters whom He has comforted to share our pain and sorrow.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 says, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”

Christians comforted by God are able to comfort others when death closes a door and takes a loved one away.

When we acknowledge our sorrow, share it with others, and try to reconcile with the loss, healing begins.

Everyone doesn’t express grief in the same manner.

But memories of deceased loved ones are alive and become a bridge that forever connects the living to them.

Sharing these memories with others helps the healing process.

When my sister Ann died more than a few years ago, my sorrow became more manageable every time I shared my grief and my memories of her with others.

Permit the memories to fill the emptiness that you feel, trust God and let the healing begin.

This unknown writer says it well,

“We begin to remember not just that you died,

but that you lived.

And your life gave us memories too beautiful to forget.”

Remembering a deceased loved one is a part of healing.

Stay safe.