Jeffrey Whitaker
Courtesy of Tina Neyer
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Courtesy of Tina Neyer
Jeffrey Whitaker
Courtesy of Tina Neyer
In March 2020, the World Well being Group declared COVID-19 a pandemic. Two years later, greater than 1,000,000 individuals have died in the US from the illness. To place a face on this quantity and pay respect to the departed, NPR requested our viewers to share songs that reminded them of a cherished one misplaced to COVID-19. What follows are particular person tales of those that have handed, these mourning them and the songs that proceed to unite them.
My brother was retired Air Drive. As a single man, his life was full: Jeff was an aeronautical engineer who did a stint on the transport airplane that took the house shuttle from Cape Canaveral to Edwards Air Drive Base. He was an avid bicycle owner. He additionally was totally vaccinated on the time he contracted the virus. As a result of he was being handled for lymphoma on an ongoing foundation, the virus was an excessive amount of for him. I miss our Sunday morning calls, one thing he did each Sunday earlier than heading off to church. They have been our means of connecting throughout the nation, throughout our political variations, throughout the divide of our lives.
The tune that involves thoughts is Adele’s “Hiya.” My brother seemingly did not know this tune, however as I sat in his condo within the Mojave Desert in December final yr, making an attempt to scrub out the place, I needed to attach with him indirectly. I’ve performed the tune many occasions since then. It brings me nearer to him.
Due to circumstances past my management, my brother died alone, however for the loving nurse who assured me he would stick with him as he took his final breath. Adele’s tune helps me to consider that indirectly, I maintain linked to Jeff. I share this with NPR as a result of it is very important me that he be remembered, that Jeff’s title is alleged. —Tina Neyer, sister
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