To be or not to be, that is the question. This line of Shakespeare is the one that first comes to mind for most people. Prince Hamlet is musing on the comparison between the pain of life and the fear of the uncertainty of death and of possible damnation of suicide.

The pain of life and suffering can bring out the best in people, as seen in many recent news stories. Suffering leads to virtue when we take heart and have courage. This line of Shakespeare is a question for government and church leaders. Leaders must be decisive and willing to take risks. Gov. Tom Wolf and Dr. Rachel Levine are challenged and seem to suffer from fear (of death?).

History has given us unforgettable leaders and saints. This pandemic will prove who are leaders and saints. There’s more behind the pandemic than we will ever know, but God knows. Death is not a reason for fear when we have faith.

I don’t want to wear a mask and I want to be human. I want to hug those I love. When I live and love as Jesus did, I am human and divine. I want my legacy to be a life of faith.

Annette O’Donnell

Hempfield

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