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Sunday, January 31, 2021

A mother's mission following her daughter's sucide




A mother’s mission

After her 13-year-old daughter took her own life, a Minneapolis woman devoted herself to addressing the teen suicide epidemic at its roots.

Story by Rachel Hutton • Photo by Richard Tsong-Taatarii

Jan. 31, 2021 • Star Tribune


On an unseasonably warm morning in November, a small group gathered around a spindly tree on the east shore of Lake Harriet in Minneapolis.


Among them was a grandmother wearing a T-shirt from the national African American history museum and a nose-pierced teenager in a Sturgis jacket. Poster boards leaned against the tree, displaying photos of a smiling girl and handwritten messages.


The group was united by their love for Aria Joy Burch-Senser, aka "Buggy," who was 13 when she died two years ago, as the tag on her memorial tree indicates. Her paternal grandmother prayed aloud, asking that God keep Aria's memory alive.


Where to find help

If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255). Or text HOME to 741741 to connect with a Crisis Text Line counselor.


Aria "died unexpectedly," as obituaries so often put it. But her mother, Brittani Senser, is forthcoming about the fact that Aria completed suicide. Brittani has since devoted herself to changing the way we approach suicide prevention. She hopes that sharing the story of Aria's beautiful life and tragic death will sound the alarm on an insidious epidemic so often shrouded in shame.


In the United States, there are more deaths due to suicide than motor-vehicles, and twice as many suicides as homicides. Skyrocketing rates of youth suicide are especially alarming: They're up 50% in the past decade. The most dramatic increase is among Black girls, such as Aria, whose rate of annual suicide deaths has more than doubled since 2000.


Aria's death offers yet one more example of how suicide can take the lives of those who appear well-liked, successful and happy.


"I had so many parents who came up to me and say, 'Of all kids, I never would have imagined it would have been Aria,' " Brittani said.


It also shows how distinguishing depression from typical teen moodiness can be especially difficult, even for those trained to recognize its signs.


"I'm a clinical therapist, and I thought that if my daughter was going to complete, I would have known," Brittani said.


Brittani Senser has a poem tattooed on her arm from daughter Aria Burch-Senser, who completed suicide Feb. 6, 2019.


RICHARD TSONG-TAATARII, STAR TRIBUNE

Brittani Senser has a poem tattooed on her arm from daughter Aria Burch-Senser, who completed suicide Feb. 6, 2019.

Out of the limelight

Brittani has glossy black hair, full lips, and even wearing a casual concert T-shirt, the 36-year-old exudes the flash of her former life in the entertainment biz. (Her singing career made national headlines in 2010 when Levi Johnston, Bristol Palin's ex, appeared in one of her music videos.)


Her last name is familiar to many Minnesotans. She's the daughter of the former Viking and sports bar owner Joe Senser, and stepdaughter of Amy Senser, who spent time in prison for her involvement in a fatal hit-and-run car accident.


All three maintain a low profile these days.


Amy has been caring for Joe as he recovers from two serious strokes. Brittani gave up performing for a career in mental health and says she's now living in service of her daughter. She refers to herself as "Buggy's mural" because her body is covered in Aria-related tattoos: Aria's name on Brittani's hand; her smiling face covering Brittani's shoulder; a poem she wrote on Brittani's forearm.


Brittani was 20 when Aria was born, an active baby with a sunny disposition who earned the nickname "Bug" or "Buggy" for the way her eyes popped with surprise as she observed the world. Brittani wasn't in a committed relationship with Aria's father, Rico Burch, when she learned she was pregnant. Though the couple tried to make things work, they split by the time Aria was 2.


Though single parenthood was difficult, Brittani loved being Aria's mother. And this first grandbaby bonded Brittani's newly blended family (her mother had recently remarried), and brought them together with the Burches. Everyone cherished Aria's sense of humor, infectious laugh and concern for others.


"She had such a kind heart," Brittani said.


For Halloween, Aria's favorite holiday, she always chose at least two pumpkins from the local patch: one she wanted, the other an ugly runt she assumed no one else would bring home.


"Because she was such an empath and such a feeler, that could have been why life felt so heavy for her," Brittani said.


Aria was also a charismatic performer, who loved to sing, act and record herself. When she was 5, a friend of Brittani's asked if her daughter would like to be in one of Minneapolis hip-hop duo Atmosphere's videos, and she was quickly cast as its star. When filming wrapped, Aria asked Brittani, "When's my next gig, Mama?"


Aria sang in the prestigious Minneapolis Youth Chorus, and she found an even brighter spotlight at a Beyoncé concert that she attended with her mom: The superstar picked Aria out of the crowd and handed her the mic so they could sing together.


"She got to experience some really, really cool things not a lot of adults get to experience in their lifetime, let alone 13-year-old kids," Brittani said.


Beyoncé picked Aria out of the crowd and handed her the mic so they could sing together at a concert she attended with Brittani.


YOUTUBE

Beyoncé picked Aria out of the crowd and handed her the mic so they could sing together at a concert she attended with Brittani.

Teenage struggles

Though her father's involvement in her life was inconsistent, Aria shared close relationships with her grandparents. She stayed with her father's parents regularly, as well as Brittani's mother and stepfather (with whom she and Brittani lived at times).


Aria attended school in Linden Hills, even as she and Brittani moved around the Twin Cities. To her classmates, Aria was known for her warmth and inclusiveness. "She was the type to always be there for you no matter what, and make people smile or cheer them up," said Alasia Thammavongsa, a friend since first grade.


While her friends saw Aria as someone they could confide in, family members sensed that Aria suppressed her sadness. Several relatives saw signs in withdrawal or emotional outbursts that she was struggling.


Just before Aria started eighth grade, she and Brittani moved into an apartment in Linden Hills. Brittani had to be at work early for a new job as a social worker, so Aria had a few hours to herself each morning. It was an exhausting time for Brittani. She was waitressing part time at her stepdad's restaurant, in addition to her day job, which was emotionally taxing. She felt sapped of energy and less attuned to how Aria was doing. "I was stretched to my limit. ... I was checked out," she admitted.


Though her work took her away from Aria, Brittani hoped that her new career would provide more financial security. But she was concerned enough about Aria's lack of effort in her math class that she arranged for Aria to see a therapist.



The last day

On the morning of Feb. 5, 2019, a Tuesday, Brittani called Aria from work to check in before school. Brittani said that Aria's beloved math teacher had recommended that she move to an easier class. Aria resisted, but Brittani told her the decision was final. Since Brittani was waitressing that evening and Aria was staying with her grandparents, they would have to discuss it later.


Aria called Brittani around 8:30 p.m., begging Brittani to reconsider the switch. Brittani told her, "I don't care, it's what needs to be done," which sent Aria into a screaming fit. Brittani hung up and let Aria cool off before resuming the conversation.


After apologizing, Brittani explained to Aria that when she said, "I don't care" she meant the opposite — she cared so much about Aria that she'd help her do whatever was necessary to get back on track. Aria feared her peers' reaction ("I'll look stupid" she said), but Brittani reassured her that if she got a passing grade in math, she could switch back.


To Brittani, the situation had been resolved. After their call, Aria texted her, "Goodnight mom, I love you." Then Aria made her customary bowl of popcorn for a bedtime snack. When her grandmother checked on her after midnight, Aria was asleep in bed.


At 11:45 p.m., Brittani had texted Aria back: "I love you so much."


The message went unread.


Early the next morning, Brittani woke to a call from her stepdad, who told her to come over immediately: Aria had completed suicide.


Brittani collapsed to the floor.


Arriving at her mom and stepdad's place, she saw a large gray vehicle from the Hennepin County Medical Examiner's Office parked out front. Aria's body, covered by a sheet, lay on a stretcher. Brittani didn't think she could handle seeing Aria's face, so she pulled out one of her daughter's small, cold hands and held it for several minutes.


Afterward, Brittani walked into the bedroom where Aria had died. She looked around, scanning for signs. On the closet door, Aria had scrawled a message: "Do you care now?"


Asking why?

As Brittani replayed the events that preceded Aria's death, she was inundated with messages from parents who wanted to know what led to her daughter's suicide — essentially asking, 'How do I keep my own kid alive?'


Looking back, Brittani believes Aria may have been influenced by any number of factors. Aria had concerns about her appearance, and as one of the few biracial students in an overwhelmingly white school, she looked and felt different from her peers. She was coming to terms with her sexuality and had recently been rejected by a romantic interest. Two friends had attempted to overdose.


Aria had experimented with alcohol and medication, but Brittani perceived it as trying to get high, not a suicide attempt. After Aria died, Brittani learned that Aria had been vaping marijuana and trying to harm herself. She also found some cruel messages from Aria's friends on her phone.


"I don't think it was just one thing," Brittani said. "It's just a testament to how fragile kids can be. They see things so black and white, so impulsively."


Brittani's stepbrother, Jason Rackner, expressed the regret felt by many family members. "Nobody really failed her, but we all kind of let her down," he said.


Aria's maternal grandmother, Gini Rackner, said she hopes Aria's loss emphasizes how important it is for adults not to negate or ignore kids' pain, but meet them in it.


"Take the time to say, 'Wow I see you're feeling sad and mad. Share what you need, and how I can help you. Your feelings aren't your fault. They'll be better tomorrow," she said.


Brittani thinks about how nothing she experienced in eighth grade — the year Princess Diana died; "Titanic" was released, Ellen DeGeneres came out — defined who she is today. She rarely sees her old classmates and can't remember her teachers' names. It devastates her to know how time can diminish the hurts of our youth, and how Aria's life was cut short before she had the chance to really live.


Brittani readily admits she made mistakes as a parent. ("Was I perfect? Hell no!") And she's gutted by how, in a vulnerable moment, Aria misunderstood her words and felt invalidated. She carries guilt for whatever role she played in contributing to the emotional spin from which Aria could only see one exit.


But one feeling she won't allow is disgrace. "I will never, ever, ever be ashamed of Aria," she said.


Brittani has Aria's likeness tattooed on her shoulder.





Brittani has Aria's likeness tattooed on her shoulder. "We talked about sex, drugs, birth control, and still I was very much in the dark about things she was doing," Brittani said. "As open as I thought I was, she wasn't coming to me."

Aria's legacy

A few things helped Brittani work through her grief. She started blogging about Aria. She connected with the local nonprofit Shout Out Loud and created an anti-suicide curriculum based on what she calls "pre-prevention."


Teens, tech, and how to help

How social media can undermine teens’ vulnerable sense of self


Some experts suggest that ubiquitous technology use is contributing to the rise in teen suicide. Mature content of all types — including instructions on how to kill yourself — can be accessed immediately and privately.

Social media feeds teens' desire for peer approval and, like gambling, teens can become addicted to seeking a flattering response. Negative content can spread widely, instantaneously and doesn't go away.

It can be impossible for parents to track every digital platform their child is using. Since much can be hidden, it's important to pay attention to words and actions that often precede suicide.

Warning signs can include everything from changes in routine or personality, to mood swings and social withdrawal, or engaging in risky, self-destructive behavior, according to the Mayo Clinic.

If you are concerned that your teen is considering suicide, Stanford Children's Hospital recommends talking about concerning behaviors and listening without judgment: Talking about suicide doesn't cause suicide.

Tell the teen that together you can develop a strategy to make things better. Remove guns from your home; lock up pills; and be aware that kitchen utensils, as well as ropes, can be used to attempt suicide. Seek professional help, immediately if the child has a suicide plan.

Most suicide resources — the crisis numbers and hospital admissions — focus on those contemplating an attempt.


"It's like there's a fire that's already started and you're throwing a blanket over it," Brittani explained. Her goal, she said, is to equip kids such that "when a match is lit, they can learn how to blow it out themselves with tools that work for them."


That means curriculum that instills children with a sense of self-worth and empathy, and teaches them to express their feelings, resolve conflict and settle their emotions.


It's also helping kids identify signs of depression, anxiety and ideation in themselves and their friends. Asking older children to create their own safety plans, Brittani said, can help them weather overwhelming feelings of despair.


Brittani debuted her curriculum online this month at a training for youth workers. She hopes to bring it to parents and schools, to make social and emotional skills as important as academics.


A "pre-prevention" approach to suicide is important because teens' increasing stress and technology use, coupled with a global pandemic and ongoing social inequities, essentially puts the whole generation "at risk," said Lisa Lovelace, a clinical psychologist who co-founded Shout Out Loud.


"Emotion regulation should be as well known as the ABCs for every child at every age and developmental ability," she said.


Brittani says she feels Aria's presence in her life daily, even if she's not here physically. "I'm not moving on, I'm moving forward — with her."


And she hopes people will understand that Aria's story includes both the darkness her daughter wrestled with and the brightness of her spirit.


"I want people to know that just because Aria chose to take her own life, that doesn't negate her beauty, her joy and her light."


Rachel Hutton is a general assignment reporter in features for the Star Tribune. 


rachel.hutton@startribune.com 612-673-4569 

rachel_hutton

© 2021 StarTribune. All rights reserved. 

Wednesday, January 27, 2021

This is a reminder that when we perform little acts of kindness how much it would change the world of one child.

 



May 13, 2015  · 

As she stood in front of her 5th grade class on the very first day of school, she told the children an untruth. Like most teachers, she looked at her students and said that she loved them all the same. However, that was impossible, because there in the front row, slumped in his seat, was a little boy named Teddy Stoddard.

Mrs. Thompson had watched Teddy the year before and noticed that he did not play well with the other children, that his clothes were messy and that he constantly needed a bath. In addition, Teddy could be unpleasant.

It got to the point where Mrs. Thompson would actually take delight in marking his papers with a broad red pen, making bold X's and then putting a big "F" at the top of his papers.

At the school where Mrs. Thompson taught, she was required to review each child's past records and she put Teddy's off until last. However, when she reviewed his file, she was in for a surprise.

Teddy's first grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is a bright child with a ready laugh. He does his work neatly and has good manners... he is a joy to be around.."

His second grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is an excellent student, well liked by his classmates, but he is troubled because his mother has a terminal illness and life at home must be a struggle."

His third grade teacher wrote, "His mother's death has been hard on him. He tries to do his best, but his father doesn't show much interest and his home life will soon affect him if some steps aren't taken."

Teddy's fourth grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is withdrawn and doesn't show much interest in school. He doesn't have many friends and he sometimes sleeps in class."

By now, Mrs. Thompson realized the problem and she was ashamed of herself. She felt even worse when her students brought her Christmas presents, wrapped in beautiful ribbons and bright paper, except for Teddy's. His present was clumsily wrapped in the heavy, brown paper That he got from a grocery bag Mrs. Thompson took pains to open it in the middle of the other presents. Some of the children started to laugh when she found a rhinestone bracelet with some of the stones missing, and a bottle that was one-quarter full of perfume.. But she stifled the children's laughter when she exclaimed how pretty the bracelet was, putting it on, and dabbing some of the perfume on her wrist. Teddy Stoddard stayed after school that day just long enough to say, "Mrs. Thompson, today you smelled just like my Mom used to." After the children left, she cried for at least an hour.

On that very day, she quit teaching reading, writing and arithmetic. Instead, she began to teach children. Mrs. Thompson paid particular attention to Teddy. As she worked with him, his mind seemed to come alive. The more she encouraged him, the faster he responded. By the end of the year, Teddy had become one of the smartest children in the class and, despite her lie that she would love all the children the same, Teddy became one of her "teacher's pets.."

A year later, she found a note under her door, from Teddy, telling* her that she was still the best teacher he ever had in his whole life.

Six years went by before she got another note from Teddy. He then wrote that he had finished high school, third in his class, and she was still the best teacher he ever had in life.

Four years after that, she got another letter, saying that while things had been tough at times, he'd stayed in school, had stuck with it, and would soon graduate from college with the highest of honors. He assured Mrs. Thompson that she was still the best and favorite teacher he had ever had in his whole life.

Then four more years passed and yet another letter came. This time he explained that after he got his bachelor's degree, he decided to go a little further. The letter explained that she was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had. But now his name was a little longer.... The letter was signed, Theodore F. Stoddard, MD.

The story does not end there. You see, there was yet another letter that spring. Teddy said he had met this girl and was going to be married. He explained that his father had died a couple of years ago and he was wondering if Mrs. Thompson might agree to sit at the wedding in the place that was usually reserved for the mother of the groom.

Of course, Mrs. Thompson did. And guess what? She wore that bracelet, the one with several rhinestones missing. Moreover, she made sure she was wearing the perfume that Teddy remembered his mother wearing on their last Christmas together.

They hugged each other, and Dr. Stoddard whispered in Mrs. Thompson's ear, "Thank you Mrs. Thompson for* believing in me. Thank you so much for making me feel important and showing me that I could make a difference."

Mrs. Thompson, with tears in her eyes, whispered back. She said, "Teddy, you have it all wrong. You were the one who taught me that I could make a difference. I didn't know how to teach until I met you."

(For you that don't know, Teddy Stoddard is the Dr. at Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines that has the Stoddard Cancer Wing.)

Warm someone's heart today. . . pass this along. I love this story so very much, I cry every time I read it. Just try to make a difference in someone's life today? tomorrow? Just "do it".

Random acts of kindness, I think they call it?

 "Believe in Angels, then return the favor."

Saturday, January 23, 2021

I had a recent conversation with a Chaplain who was lamenting not being able to see those behind closed doors.

 


So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.





One of the tragedies to come out of this pandemic is the inability to connect with those locked away in senior centers, or the social isolation that has left many at the throes of depression, anxiety and for some at the brink of suicide. In my conversation with this Chaplain, he was lamenting not being able to reach the most vulnerable in those nursing homes and assistant living facilities. I pictured senior citizens lying on their beds as they focus on pictures of their loved ones, loved ones they haven't seen in a year. Some I picture were in uncontrollable fits of despair. Others were looking aimlessly out their window wondering if anyone was coming to see them today. This pandemic has been unfair to this once proud generation of world war 2 people who built the post war years of this economy. Oh, to spend those remaining days alone in one's room with no one to talk to seems unfair.

This chaplain I spoke too said he often spends his days looking through the glass praying for those who are suffering on the other side. I could sense the emotions in his voice as he spoke.

I understand the logic behind the decision to isolate the seniors while at the same time I sympathize with those who were called to provide personal chaplaincy services to this aging population.

I was reflecting on my own good fortune in being able to provide a 'live' grief share group because we found a larger room to meet in and we were all willing to wear face masks and maintain 6 feet distance. I found that people would rather wear the mask if it means having a personal group to be part of.

It has been almost a full year since the start of this isolation and I think I see the light at the end of the tunnel. I won't pretend I understand the logic behind the World health organization and the CDC, but I trust the science behind their recommendations. I believe that God is in control and we will come out of this long narrow dark passageway much stronger in faith.

While many people are lying in despair at the edge of taking their lives, God reminds us that the harvest is ready and we need to be available to bring the hurting, the hungry and those in despair to Jesus. This is our moment to shine a light to a darkened world. It is our moment for God to use our own despair to bring hope to those in need of it.

Sunday, January 17, 2021

Let us not begrudge others who want to immigrant to America just as your forefathers did.

 


“Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.” John 15:4 (NLT)

Have you ever felt you were adrift on a life raft out in the open sea wondering where you are where you're going? You sit there on that raft without a compass and with only a wooden spoon you use to swat at the baby sharks that occasionally make it close to your raft? You learned that the brothers and sisters who once encouraged you are now long gone. You remembered the special prayer times and hymn sing's you had with them and what a joyous time it was celebrating the Christian faith with them; until the contentious political season divided you to where you know longer experienced such joy. You knew that you could not express your political differences with anyone else in your fellowship for fear of being labeled a traitor, or worse shun as a outcast.


For me, that has been what 2020 has been like. Only as long as one accepted the majority opinion one would be considered safe, but the moment they expressed a dissenting opinion from anyone else was their the remote possibility that they would take potshots at you. It didn't matter if you had more experience than they did with people from other cultures, it is what it is because the majority says it is. I think this happened in the German churches when the pastors at the time who supported Hitler refused to speak out about the unspeakable crimes that sent Jewish, Gypsies, and those who physical and mental impairments to the gas chambers. Many of them at the time rationalized that it is better that a Jew die than to bring disease into the German culture. My fear is that this same mentality is flowing into the American way of life. There is this 'I'm superior to you mentality because I was born in America' mentality. When I hear this nonsensible utterance I often remind my friends that America was built on the backs of immigrants. Every time I travel up in Northwestern Minnesota I often see trucks on the side of the road. When I look further into the fields I noticed teams of hardworking Hispanic men, woman and children picking sugar beets. My wife mentioned that these laborers are crucial to the success of the sugar beet operation because they cannot get enough laborers to complete this dirty, hot task.


America was built on the back of Immigrants. On the statue of Liberty is a reminder of that reality with these words, ""Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore."


As I read those words I think of the long journeys each immigrant had to make to reach our shores, or the sickness and the occasional loss of family members. I think about the deep sense of bereavement and sorrow or their willingness to press on knowing that their decision to become American's would radically change the lifestyles of their future children and grandchildren.


I also reflect on the little known statistic that the vast majority of immigrants start the vast majority of new businesses- businesses that employed 100's, if not thousands of other people.


America is the land of opportunity, a horn of plenty for people who never had enough because of the socialist regimes they came out of.


As a country, It is now time to begin the healing process that has re-traumatized our immigrant people. Let's give them a break and watch them succeed just as the immigrants did in the previous years.




Saturday, January 9, 2021

In the words of that famous children's book, Alexander and his terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day, this indeed has been a bad week in America

 





The clouds poured down water,
the heavens resounded with thunder;
your arrows flashed back and forth.
18 Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind,
your lightning lit up the world;
the earth trembled and quaked.
19 Your path led through the sea,
your way through the mighty waters,
though your footprints were not seen.
20 You led your people like a flock
by the hand of Moses and Aaron. Psalm 77

This has been a been a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad week.  Those are the words of a famous children's book I often read to my children.  I remembered those words as I witnessed the breach of the Capital police and watching intruders breaking windows and gaining entrance into the sacred United States Capital.  My heart was breaking as I thought about the nations around the world who benefit from the generosity of American's with many wondering how much longer can they depend on us?  I remember saying the pledge of Allegiance at the start of my elementary school days, or singing the national anthem at sporting events, or praying for our leaders in our nations capital.  Like most, I was in the state of disbelief that this was actually happening in America.  I heard someone wondered if we are becoming a banana republic as the damage to our capital building was unfolding.

There is no doubt that the pandemic of 2020 will go down in history as the most tragic of events with the 9  months of isolation and lockdowns that sent people spiraling down into a cataclysmic of depression and despair and hopelessness.  When the public schools closed and distance learning ramped up, many children began falling behind in their studies.  When liquor stores were allowed to remain open, we were seeing a much higher percentage of men and woman becoming addicted to alcohol with marriages breaking up in the process. We witnessed crime rages escalating, domestic abuse cases soaring, suicides increasing and more people dying from the virus.  

When the first cases of the corona virus occurred and the nation went into a lockdown mode, most of us grew skeptical and thought this was one more element of control by the liberal news media which has lead to politicizing the pandemic. 

 One side sided with science and agreed that masks, social distancing, and washing hands are the best ways of getting rid of this virus until a vaccine comes along. 

The other side would rather subscribe to conspiracy theories that says our freedoms are being jeopardize and our rights are taken away and this vaccine they are now injecting is just another way of marking each human being. One side wanted to shut down everything but the 'essential' businesses while the other side wanted to help those other businesses succeed. 

 I use to be one of those subscribers to the conspiracy theories until I understood the science behind the virus and spoke to much smarter people than I about this virus. Mark was one such person. Mark spent his life working in the IT field until he encountered a auto-immune disease that took away his ability to perform his job.

 With time on his hands he began reading up on this virus with the help of  CDC and World health organization's views of this virus and after much thought came to the conclusion that this virus is real and dangerous and we would be fooling ourselves if we refuse to follow the science and protect ourselves and our love ones.

Most of you who know me understand that I'm an optimist.  I always try to look at the good to come out of tragedies and this pandemic is no different than the tragedies of yesteryear. As a child when other kids saw a half empty glass of water, I saw a half full one.  I believe we will survive this monumental pandemic and we will come out stronger, wiser than we did before this pandemic.   I believe that America will continue to survive and there will be a day when we will be taking trips to Washington D.C. to see the restored capital building.

I believe when this pandemic ends that we will never forsake the importance of human relationships, or the gathering in Churches, or having friends over for dinner.  I believe this vaccine that is now going across the country will like, the Jonas Salk's Polio vaccine, completely eradicate the  the coronavirus once and for all to which we will all be reading this sequel, "Alexander and his encouraging, comforting, very good, very very good day!"

Finally, please remember that our Lord Jesus Christ is alive and continues to be ministering in the lives of people who call out to Him even when you may not sense it.