This post is in memory of the 2243+ people in the St. Louis Metro area who lost their lives to COVID-19 and leave empty plates at our tables this Thanksgiving. With deepest sympathies to their grieving families on this 1st Thanksgiving without them. Also with the most sincere best wishes for recovery to those who are fighting for their lives in hospitals and unable to celebrate at all.

My heart truly goes out to the grieving families today. The “first” Thanksgiving holiday without our loved ones is especially painful. As I sit here at my desk trying to find words to write, celebrating Thanksgiving alone and with all of my loved ones fortunately alive right now, I imagine the losses of others to COVID-19 and it makes me cry.

1st Thanksgiving without those who died of COVID-19