by Douglas L. Anderson, PsyD

First the bad news.  The COVID-19 Pandemic is not over.  Several hundred people die daily in the US still because of this nasty and unwelcome virus.  Almost 600,000 have died in the past fourteen months, and their deaths impact millions of family members, friends, businesses, and communities.  I suspect it has impacted you, possibly in ways you are not yet aware of.  Our communities will need to find ways to honor and grieve all who have died, and to provide support to survivors and to long-haulers.

Both former President Trump and current President Biden have called this pandemic a war, and it has been a war.  The war continues, albeit in smaller pockets and with less impact.  But it is still a war.  And like all wars, this one calls on us to honor the fighters (think medical professionals on the front lines, first responders, teachers, and really all of us!).  We need to engage in rituals of grief.  We will need to build “monuments” to those who have died in the battles.  

Now the good news.  The pandemic is clearly winding down.  As much as we grieve what we have been through, so also we celebrate vaccines that work, and pandemics that begin to crumble under the impact of the vaccines.  Victory does not come without sacrifice, and somehow the agony of sacrifice makes impending victory that much sweeter.  

A small child once told me that they were “happysad.”  One word.  That is what we need to bring to this moment in our lives, in our story.  We can be ‘happysad’ that the pandemic is winding down.  Happy that vaccines exist and work.  Sad that almost 600,000 of our citizens have died, and almost 3.5 million people across the globe have died.  Happy that we have survived.  Sad for the loved ones of those who have died, and sad for those who have manifold lingering medical issues from having COVID.  Happy that deaths are rapidly dropping.

I encourage individuals, families, and our communities to engage in the sometimes difficult work of mutual grief and celebration.  They obviously don’t always happen at the same time, but both grief and celebration are needed as we contemplate and experience COVID as it moves from pandemic to problem to pest to mostly just painful memory.

At River Counseling Services and Sioux Falls Psychological Services we meet you where you are, offering hope.  We can help you get better at engaging in both celebration and grief, and at holding life’s goods and bads at the same time.  We are also able to assist organizations and communities in discovering creative ways to both grieve the negative impacts of the pandemic, and celebrate the positive turn as we watch the pandemic dwindle.  You may schedule an appointment with the Platte office at 605-337-3444, or meet with one of our Sioux Falls Psychological Services therapists from your own computer or smartphone.  To schedule an appointment please call 605-334-2696.