Studio lights burn bright. In one chair, a middle-aged man sits and in the other chair is what appears to be a ghost of an older woman. She has a slight glow. Cameras roll. The interviewer begins the intro:
“Good morning, I’m joined here by my grandmother. I’d like to say what a huge treat this is — she passed away years ago and is making a VERY SPECIAL appearance today.”
Interviewer: Good morning Grandma. I can’t tell you how much I have wanted this day to happen. I wish it were under better circumstances.
Grandma: You think these are hard times?
Interviewer: Well, yes. The economy. COVID-19. I could go on.
Grandma: First of all, I’m proud of the man you’ve grown up to become. Now suck it up and start acting like it.
Interviewer: (Looking stunned. And then stammers:)But these are scary times.
Grandma: Yes they are. I remember the 1918 flu epidemic. I was a little girl but I still remember the fear. I remember the deaths and the coffins stacked like cord wood. World War I was just ending, we had gone through sacrifice and then it hits. It was horrible. And don’t even get me started on Polio! Then a few years later, the Great Depression punched us in the stomach. We struggled but we made it. Yes, our lives changed but we were still alive. These are scary times, but you know how scared I was when I was tucking in your father on December 7, 1941. I wondered what kind of world was I raising him in? Everyday we’d keep track of the progress of the war. 1942 was so grim. Then we won the Battle of Midway and started getting a foothold in North Africa. Your grandfather was too old to fight but worked long hours at the factory. His brothers came back broken men. I lost friends. We had rationing of food and gasoline and tires. I wrote a lot of letters back then and ate a lot of SPAM. I hated SPAM until the day I died. But every morning, we got up, put on our shoes, got to work and lived in the moment. You should try it, too.
Interviewer: Why did you come back today for this interview?
Grandma: I had to get permission but I’m glad He said yes. I just wanted to remind you and your viewers that while these are very scary times, they aren’t permanent. Yes, you may get COVID-19 — by the way, that’a better name than the Spanish flu. The poor Spaniards got blamed for a flu that didn’t even start in their country — but most likely you’ll survive. And if you don’t, your faith tells you that will be OK, too. Worried about your family? Do what you need to do to take care of them. Make sure the legal and financial details are taken care of. Worried about your health? Quit stressing out and take better care of yourself. Wash your hands and quit touching your face. Want to feel like your doing something? Help someone in your community. Check on someone else’s grandma. Buy their groceries. Be strong — I know you have it in you. And flatten the curve.
One more thing: Do you still make my special bunt cake recipe?
Interviewer: Yes, Grandma. It’s delicious and makes me think of you. What do you mean by flatten the curve?
Grandma: One thing we learned in my town during 1918 was that if you stayed apart from each other, it slowed the march of the disease. DO THAT. You know all those times the hospital and medical staff was there for you?
Interviewer: Yes, Grandma.
Grandma: It’s time to be there for them. So they can be there for you. Slow the infection rate. Allow them to have a fighting chance.
The ghost leans over and gives the man a hug.
Grandma: “I love you Bubby. You will be OK. ”
She kisses him on the cheek and says, “I can do that. I’m a ghost you know. No social distancing is required where I am.”
The Interviewer sits blushing with a tear trickling down his cheek.
And with that, the cameras stop rolling, the lights dim and Grandma fades away.