It’s a strange feeling how everyone is talking about a potential second wave of covid19 and discussing the precautionary steps needed to prevent it, while my husband is still in the hospital from the first round- back in March!
I believe that we have the choice with who we choose to surround ourselves with and the choice of who we allow into our inner circles. I was taught this from a very young age, and it became my inner voice, “Surround yourself with positive people. With people who believe in you and in what you have to offer. Believe in yourself and you can achieve anything…”. (This is actually the inspiration behind my song “Just by Being You”).
I try to be so careful with which type of people I surround myself and consciously choose to be around those who are positive and encouraging.
I want to thank you- because you have been that for me. You have been completely supportive and loving in every way and in every step I took. You lifted me up when I was down and you celebrated each and every milestone with me, no matter how small they seemed. You kept me strong and empowered. You believed for me and in me. “We are here for you and we have you and Yudi’s back no matter what” was your underlying message to me. Always. No judgement, only love and respect. To have such an incredibly large supportive and loving network is one of the biggest blessings that G-d gave me to help get me through this trauma, and I want to thank you for being part of this blessing. Thank you for allowing this to be a safe platform for me to make myself vulnerable and express my deepest emotions. Thank you for being you.
Yudi’s journey (actually our family’s journey) has been getting much more publicity with articles and news coverage (Fox News, CBS News etc.)- and well deserved. We all worked hard, and especially Yudi, to get to this point and the miraculous good that came out of something so terrifying deserves to be recognized and celebrated. This, however, opens the door for thousands of others to share their thoughts on the story as well.
It’s ok for everyone to have their opinion on things. I don’t judge anyone. And that being said, I received enough new opinionated comments for me to need to put up some boundaries and respectfully take a stand and share what I am not comfortable with.
A few have reached out to me requesting or suggesting that I and/or Yudi should make a video or declaration about the importance of social distancing and wearing masks. They feel that our story illustrates how serious Covid19 really is, and that we should use our experience to promote appropriate precautions.
Again, without judging, it’s important for people to know that I will NOT turn our journey into a political statement. My husband will NOT be the poster boy for what will happen if you don’t social distance or wear masks. My husband WILL be (and IS!) the poster boy to show the world the power of positivity, prayer, unity, strength, perseverance and love for one another.
I don’t feel like it’s necessary to defend ourselves at all, but I think at this point it’s important to highlight an important fact: When Yudi first got sick, we were social distancing. We were quarantined. We were wearing masks, washing hands, and being so careful. And yet, he still got it. And got hit harder than most people in. the. world.
I know with absolute certainty that Yudi got covid19 to this degree only because this is what G-d wanted for Yudi’s life journey, for our family’s, and for the world. This did NOT happen to Yudi because of a lack of social distancing or mask wearing. This happened because G-d wanted it to happen. There is NOTHING we could have, should have, or would have done differently to prevent Yudi from getting covid19.
Very little is known about the coronavirus. No one really understands it. There are many people who are super careful and still manage to get it. Others are not careful at all and don’t get it. Some people are asymptomatic, others have mild symptoms, some have a full recovery, some have long lasting effects, and others, tragically, don’t make it through. Some have antibodies, some do not (like me!), some test positive on the carrier test only to get a negative on the next one.
It can be scary to see so much chaos happening around us and how there are no clear answers- about anything. But that’s why it’s so comforting to know that G-d is in control and that there IS an ultimate purpose and reason behind the chaos.
Like everything else in life, we have a responsibility to put in the effort. We have to do our part to stay safe and healthy emotionally, mentally and physically.
Us trying to control everything and everyone has created a significant amount of anxiety. And so is the complete lack of control and the unknown. It makes it so much easier when we are OK with doing our part and leaving the rest up to G-d. He can handle what we cannot. He knows exactly what He’s doing. We need to trust that He is “All Good”, and take a deep breath, let go, and let G-d.
If you look at the back of an embroidery, it often looks like one big mess. There are knots and loose strings everywhere. However, when you turn it around, you see that it’s specifically this “mess” that makes up a beautiful embroidered image. So too, what can often seem like a complete chaos down here in our lives, actually creates a masterpiece from above.
We are in good hands. Trust.
Thank you again for completely surrounding Yudi and I with such love, acceptance, and respect. It means more to us than you will ever know.
May we continue hearing good news, see revealed miracles and beauty in every aspect of our lives, and may Chaim Schneur Zalman Yehuda ben Hinda Yocheved get stronger and healthier- even more than before- so he can come home and be reunited with his family again very soon!
