In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic. Two years later, more than a million people have died in the United States from the disease. To put a face on this number and pay respect to the departed, NPR asked our audience to share songs that reminded them of a loved one lost to COVID-19. What follows are individual stories of those who have passed, those mourning them and the songs that continue to unite them.
"My Way" is the song Mona's brother picked out to accompany the photo tribute at her funeral. Whenever you met her, she'd introduce herself as "Mona Lisa," and everyone who ever encountered her would agree she did this life her way. She was the life of our family and every room she was in. Her personality was larger than life: always laughing, always making us laugh, and always ready for a good time. Our family trips and get-togethers haven't been the same since she left us. Now every time I hear "My Way" I get teary-eyed, but then smile at the beautiful memories of my sweet cousin. —Kathryn Redmond, cousin
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