Clearly, the coronavirus is testing everyone’s patience and resolve.

Some of your Northside neighbors are finding solace through their relationships with family and friends. Others are doing their very best to cope with the pressures of it all.

Today, we wanted to share some of their stories.

‘Terribly difficult decision’

Zoom may suffice to substitute for a face to face office meeting, but it doesn’t work when a family is alone and mourning a death.

In the past week I’ve had two situations where deaths have occurred, one which was unexpected and tragic.

Because of the medical vulnerability of the grieving, I made the terribly difficult decision not to be there.

I have a deeper appreciation of the balm which simple presence provides the grieving during times of loss.

I won’t take presence, whether it’s offered to me or whether I offer it, for granted anymore.

John Ray lives in Alpharetta. He owns his own business consultancy, Ray Business Advisors, as well as North Fulton Business RadioX, a business podcast studio. He is also a deacon in the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta.

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