I need to say this.

One thing this pandemic crisis has brought us is a fresh appreciation of people we identify as heroes, particularly those in the world of medicine. Nurses, doctors, certified nursing assistants (CMAs), emergency medical technicians (EMTs), and plenty of others. Suddenly, it seems, tributes are showing up everywhere, on social media, signs in windows, posters, letters to the editor.

These folks are laboring long hours, necessarily turning from the care of their loved ones and themselves to care for us in our time of greatest need. They are committed to serve, to do all they can to comfort and heal us. This pandemic has made us realize that theirs is a calling that they passionately devote themselves to, often to the point of exhaustion.

Is there a parallel with our newfound appreciation during this pandemic crisis and what we often say to ourselves and to one another on the unexpected death of a loved one? If only I had told her … I wish I had … If I had one more chance, I would … We punish ourselves with guilt over our could’ve, should’ve, would’ves. Missed opportunities. Well, we have an opportunity now.

We should realize that these medical professionals and others whose heroic labors we now praise have been caring for us for our entire lives, doing what they do with passion and devotion, all along. I have been on the receiving end of their competent, compassionate care more times than I can count. I owe them so much, more than my words can adequately express.

They richly deserve all of the gratitude we can show them, in as many and varied ways we can come up with. I wish for them peaceful rest and a chance to return to the arms of those they love most.

Let’s do all we can to repay them.