Not quite a good start
There is no doubt that most of us are more than happy to consign the past year to the scrapheap. No matter how often we try to refresh our collective minds, the terrible memory of the year 2020 will never change.
Two million people the world over (and counting) were struck down by the deadly Covid-19 Virus. It is unlikely that we will have our old lives back, but we are very thankful to be alive.
The same cannot be said for the 251 Maltese victims (and counting) of the deadly Coronavirus. Among whom was Father Robert Wirth SJ. Robbie, as he was affectionately known by everyone, was loved by many. He was goodness itself, had a sense of humour and his love for life was manifest in his endearing smile. Fr. Robbie’s pastoral mission took him to India where he lived and taught in many Christian colleges for many years.
When he returned to Malta, he held several posts including chaplain of the University of Malta and many years later he joined the community at Sarria House. In November last year he was diagnosed with Covid-19 and was admitted to Mater Dei Hospital where he died four days later. It was a difficult time for the Jesuit community in Malta who would lose another three Jesuit fathers.
Neither was it a good start to the new year for Carmel Pace who lost his beloved wife, Miriam, when their family home collapsed in March of the now maligned 2020. On the first outing of the new year, this brokenhearted gentleman visited his wife’s grave and spoke to her about his heartache and how her tragic loss was too painful for him to bear even though he could still feel her warm embrace.
In a heart-wrenching post on Facebook, Mr Pace spoke openly about a deep feeling of worry that was troubling him. How he feared an attempt by the Authorities to sweep this tragedy under the carpet in the hope that it will be forgotten. As it turned out, Mr. Pace’s fears were not misplaced, for barely two weeks would pass when it was announced by the Prime Minister that the report concluded by the experts appointed by himself to review building laws would not be made public.
Carmel Pace was legitimately asking for information on the panel of experts’ conclusions of their report. No answers were forthcoming. Perhaps because that information is embarrassing? Which is why the report was being kept under wraps. Another twenty days would pass before the report was eventually tabled in Parliament. Carmel Pace and his family yearn for closure to be able to move on. Until then, justice delayed to their beloved Miriam will be just another sordid case of justice denied.
But that’s not all. For barely had the first week of the new year gone by when the news broke that young Rebecca Zammit Lupi had passed away. No, it was not a good start at all. Becs died from a rare form of bone cancer. A budding young dancer gone too soon, way before any of her dreams could come true. More importantly, her physical pain is gone and she is now able to dance with the angels in heaven.
No parent expects to outlive their child. Indeed, only those who have had to live through such pain and heartache are able to understand the devastating feeling of loss when the light at the end of the dark tunnel is too dim to show the way out of it. On top of that, we are living in troubled times, what with the pandemic raging on, killing thousands of people the world over every day.
When we hit on hard times, we are tempted to question where God is in all this suffering and why does he even allow it to happen. It may be of some consolation to remember that he permitted the crucifixion of his only son. And that he was there all the time, holding him while he was dying on the cross for the redemption of mankind. For there is no suffering on earth that is not borne by God.
They say that time heals and makes us forget, but what we shared will never be erased. In the wake of all these tragic events these words may bring some comfort to the grieving families left behind. Indeed, time has a wonderful way of showing us what really matters, like the fond memories of a love-filled relationship, even if short-lived, that will be cherished for the rest of our days.
But no, it hasn’t been quite a good start. And not only because our world has been plagued by human tragedy and unimaginable suffering. From the outset, we were invited to believe that 2021 would be the year of hope, when we would be able to claim our old lives back, sooner rather than later.
However, the slow anti Covid19 vaccine roll-out dampened expectations to reach the required herd immunity as early as the month of May. Realistically, that target will only be met towards the end of the Summer. In the meantime, our nation must work harder to flatten that curve by rigorously taking heed of the advice from the Health Authorities. We cannot lose heart. Not now, not ever.