The Gift of Hope

By: Juanita González

It's not often that people take time to say thank you. We live day by day, receiving
truthful demonstrations of love disguised in simple acts, and yet we never realize how
meaningful they are until we lose them. During the past few months, our lives took a 180-
degree turn; everything we thought we knew turned upside down, and as scary as this
was, the pandemic opened our eyes to how ungrateful we used to be.
Covid-19 took us by surprise, and therefore, dealing with it certainly has not been
easy. We miss hugs, we miss friends, we feel like life escaping from our hands, and yet we
hope. We have hope because we have seen the worst. We know that although life may
seem unfair, disappointment is finite, and opportunities infinite, thanks to those who
work with every piece of their heart and soul to spare humanity another catastrophe.
Nurses, doctors, and every part of the medical staff have given us hope, have given us a
light in the darkness of uncertainty. They are the real heroes. They wear white capes, fly
through rooms, and run through the hospital halls showing their devotion to the cause of
humanity. Despite seeming invincible, they are still humans, vulnerable to diseases and
accidents. The human factor of dying is exactly what makes them worthy of our
admiration. They know they aren't unbreakable, that life ends in a blink of an eye because
all the doctors, nurses, and the medical staff sees it from first hand, and regardless of this,
they still wake up and risk their lives to save others.
Doctors all around the world have lost their life due to Covid-19. Thanks to them,
we are one step closer to the end of this devastating event that shall not be forgotten. My
dad, a doctor, who I admire for his willingness to help, has lost colleagues and friends
during this pandemic. Although I didn't meet them when I hear my dad narrate anecdotes
and stories of the good days with grief, a knot forms in my throat, and I can help but
shed some tears for those who gave their last breath as they lived their lives, in service to
others.
Thank you; are two words that, even though are short and normalized, can
overflow a heart with love. Today, I desire that all the members of the medical staff, who
give much more than they receive, feel our sincere gratitude. Thank you for leaving fear
aside, thank you for trying your best, but most of all, thank you for giving us hope.