Monday, July 27, 2020
Dear Robin, Herbie, Susan, and Jill, my heart is broken for you, because I know what it is to lose your mother until you see her again in Heaven. I still cry when I dwell on my mother's passing. I was with her as she breathed her last breath, and could not help but collapse in tears at that time. When I was born, in 1949, Emma was 14. I was born in MaMa and DaDa's house at West Andrews (Emma's home of course), so I know that I received an ABUNDANCE of love, kisses, cuddles, and spoiling all the way around. Momma and Daddy lived in an apartment in that house, so my first year or so was in a very special place. Emma has told me stories over the years about me during that time. Even though Phyllis and I have lived many places over our adult life and have only been back to Andrews for visits, Emma has always been in my heart as were all my precious uncles and aunts.
I hope you will understand that we cannot be at the visitation or funeral. Phyllis' health is extremely compromised due to several chronic conditions and we have been sheltered in place in our home since early March due to Covid-19. I'm sure that if she contracted it she would not survive. I probably wouldn't either. It has been very difficult not to even be able to be with our Children in their home or ours, but we have held fast to these rules. The only place we've been together is to Doctor's offices. Other than that I do our grocery shopping and pick up our meds, using an abundance of caution to leave any germs behind. As you may know, Myrtle Beach and the whole Grand Strand is a hotspot of Covid-19.
Emma will always be in our hearts, as will each of you. I pray that you will forgive us for not being physically present with you, and that you will have absolute confidence that you and your children and all of our Clemons and Davis family will be in our prayers throughout these times of grief, trusting in our faith, that, by and by, grief will be replaced by the joy of that day when the circle is no longer broken.
We Love You,
Robert and Phyllis