Keep your high beams on

“Keep the high beams on to help you get through the darkness.”

Those were great words of encouragement from a friend after I was left devastated by the death of my brother a few years ago. Former KIRO Radio host Bill Yeend had also lost his first wife about the same time and he encouraged me to keep the high beams on.

Even as we were going through such a painful time in our lives, he correctly pointed out that there was beauty in the midst of our heartache.

I’m reminded of that again as we are going through this pandemic.

Every day, we are confronted with the staggering numbers of newly confirmed cases and more people dying from this insidious disease. Many of us worry the next text, phone call, or social media post will include bad news about someone we love who’s suffering from COVID-19. Millions of people are now out of work. So even if you’re not touched by the virus itself, there’s a good chance you’re feeling the financial effects.

But with the high beams on, you can see there are also beautiful things happening during this once-in-a-lifetime pandemic.

On the Gee and Ursula Show Thursday, we spoke with two women who were involved in a very moving display in the parking lot of MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital in Puyallup.

Amber Peninger asked members of her church and other friends to gather outside so they could worship and pray for the health care workers and their patients who are battling for their lives. Their cars were parked at least six feet apart, and with music blaring and hazard lights, they sang and prayed.

It was truly an amazing sight. Missy Seeman recorded it and the video has been shared thousands of times all around the world.

Both women have their own personal struggles that have been compounded by the pandemic. But for that night, their only focus was to show love and support for those on the front lines. They got emotional when they told us how gratifying it was to see some nurses waving from their windows, thanking them.

As we head into what every expert predicts will be the toughest weeks, I encourage all of you to stay home, stay safe, and “keep your high beams on.”

Follow @https://twitter.com/UrsulaKIROFM