Adele’s ‘Good day’ : Songs Of Remembrance : NPR

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 one million individuals have died in america 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 liked 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 Power. As a single man, his life was full: Jeff was an aeronautical engineer who did a stint on the transport aircraft that took the area shuttle from Cape Canaveral to Edwards Air Power Base. He was an avid bicycle owner. He additionally was absolutely 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 approach of connecting throughout the nation, throughout our political variations, throughout the divide of our lives.

The music that involves thoughts is Adele’s “Good day.” My brother probably did not know this music, however as I sat in his residence within the Mojave Desert in December final yr, trying to wash out the place, I wished to attach with him ultimately. I’ve performed the music many instances 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 music helps me to imagine that ultimately, I hold related to Jeff. I share this with NPR as a result of you will need to me that he be remembered, that Jeff’s identify is alleged. —Tina Neyer, sister