To All The Fathers Who Didn’t Live To See Father’s Day 2020

We have been dealing with a global pandemic since March.  So many fathers have lost their lives to the novel COVID-19 virus. The suffering of untold numbers of families is incalculable.

And, now, in the midst of this pandemic comes a virus of hatred sweeping through our country. This virus is man-made and is taking innocent lives, leaving children without fathers, spouses without their partners, parents without their children.

How heartbreaking and sad. There are still people with white skin who judge the value of people based on skin color different than theirs. When will the ignorance and madness stop? When will the killing stop?

My heart aches for the losses people of color have suffered – the ones we know about and the ones we don’t.  My heart breaks for the insanity of those who perpetrate these senseless acts of violence. The racial discrepancies in this country may have progressed a little, but not nearly enough. There remains so much room for growth.

As a lesbian, white woman who served in our country’s military, I have experienced my share of discrimination. But what I have personally experienced is nothing in light of the discrimination that leads to murder without provocation, without repercussion.

This coming Father’s Day, I will honor those innocent men of color who have lost their lives needlessly at the hands of the people who are meant to guard and protect and make those of us who live in this country feel safe. I, too, will honor the men on the front lines who are doing a superb job of protecting our citizens.

Those fathers who lost their lives to COVID-19, whatever color their skin, had no chance against this unseen killer. Those fathers who lost their lives at the hands of law enforcement, they are the ones who must be honored in a very special way this year. And those fathers who took the lives of other fathers, husbands and children, we must pray that they come to understand love instead of fear.

And, this year, I will also publicly honor our Heavenly Father and seek his mercy at this most challenging time.

Looking to find an experienced estate lawyer in the Georgia area who is skilled in asset protection and estate plan preparation? Shannon Pawley is an attorney in Georgia with expertise in estate planning and asset protection. Shannon can provide assistance with creating an estate plan to include making a will and how to establish a trust properly. If you have questions about asset protection or questions about making an estate plan, reach out to Shannon and she will be glad to help answer all the estate planning questions you might have!