Central Texas community grapples with loss
As COVID cases continue to rise across Texas, there is understandably a rise in COVID-19 related deaths.
Hospital ICUs are filling up with more and more COVID-19 cases … some never making it out.
Funeral homes, like Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home in Killeen, are feeling a major case of déjà vu and a tragic trend they hoped to never see again.
“It’s very similar to what we experienced early in the year last year,” said Steve Faram, general manager of Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home. “I can’t say that I really didn’t expect it but, I was kind of surprised as the numbers started increasing as they have.”
COVID-19 doesn’t seem to care if you are rich, poor, good, or bad. It strikes everyone the same.
The devastation of the sudden death of a loved one to COVID-19 is something district 17 director of The League of United Latin American Citizens, AnaLuisa Tapia, tragically learned after her husband, Lorenzo, lost his fight against COVID-19 over the weekend.
“My husband went onto glory on Saturday the 21st at 3 a.m.,” said Tapia.
Tapia and her husband were putting off getting vaccinated due to work schedules.
Tragically, it turned out to be a decision she now regrets, and one she doesn’t want to see anyone else make.
“If there is a place you can take a shot, go ahead and do it,” said Tapia. “Don’t put it off and if you get a reaction call in. I would rather have had my husband call in than to have my husband not be here on earth anymore.”
Tapia has had a flood of phone calls and condolences, but she says the best way to honor the retired Army veteran she married, is to do the things he would do for others.
“If you knew that he would feed the homeless, go out and help somebody,” said Tapia. “Go out and feed the homeless. If you knew that he would go and fix your tire, go and do that. Take that spot, fill that gap, and let’s continue. Let’s continue taking care of each other.”
Tapia is urging the public to take the vaccines and treatments seriously because COVID-19 is serious, and she doesn’t want other families to go through what she and her family are going through now.
Tapia said her message on the COVID-19 vaccine is simple, don’t put it off.
PREMIERE – Ana Luisa Ramos releases new single, “Ceú Azul”
Photo Credit: Lindsay J Ralph Photography
Brazil-born, St. John’s, NL-based singer-songwriter, Ana Luisa Ramos released her debut album in 2016 followed by an EP in November 2020 written by Eric Taylor Escudero, Ana’s now-husband who is also a musician.
Now, Ana’s set to release her sophomore album, Amanheceu next month. The release features five songs that Ana wrote independently, including “Céu Azul”.
“Céu Azul” is a mid-tempo, Brazilian Bossa Nova love song about the passage of time. Involving themes of the seasons and nature, “Céu Azul” eloquently connects nature to our experiences in life – both happy and sad. The warmth of the simple, delicate melody of the song is comforting and peaceful, and Ana hopes to have listeners find the traditional Brazilian rhythm to be easy to listen to and relaxing.
Ana shares,
“Céu Azul is a song that was written and recorded in Brazil and also in Newfoundland. It is about the beauty of those cold blue-sky days and the change of seasons. In Céu Azul, nature works as a metaphor for different aspects of life, our expectations and disappointments, the happiness we find in the small things, and simple and pure love.”
Check out “Céu Azul” below, and stay up to date with Ana via her socials.
Connect with Ana Luisa Ramos:
Website