Covid-19 Memorial Rami's Heart

Covid-19 Memorial Rami's Heart A makeshift memorial quickly grew & is now the 1st permanent national Covid Memorial in our nation.

$5 Admission Fee for Adults
$3 Admission Fee for Children under the age of 17

Grief doesn’t disappear just because time has passed. For many people, the silence that follows loss becomes its own kin...
09/07/2026

Grief doesn’t disappear just because time has passed. For many people, the silence that follows loss becomes its own kind of ache. One that can feel heavier than the grief itself. Reaching out doesn’t require the perfect words or a special occasion. It’s simply a reminder that someone’s pain is seen, their person is remembered, and they aren’t carrying everything alone.

A message, a check‑in, a small gesture of care can soften a day that feels impossible. Kindness doesn’t need a reason. It just needs to be offered.

Michelle wrote this in September of 2021, after finding out that a loved one had passed away from COVID. (She lost many ...
09/07/2026

Michelle wrote this in September of 2021, after finding out that a loved one had passed away from COVID. (She lost many friends and family to the virus.) September 7th marks four years since Heidi passed away. She lit up a room with her joy, and you would have loved her.

She Called Me "Sweetie"

Heidi was nearly thirteen, and I only four when I came to live in with her and her family. Fresh out of foster care, my brother and I joined the house with four older children. She, the only other girl, had a new roommate. I imagine it had felt very invasive and annoying to share her things—her room, her bed, her dresser, her adolescent stuff—with a small child. And, while mostly compliant, I sometimes failed. I will never forget the chaos (and smell) when I dumped a full bottle of her precious perfume across her bedspread.

Still, she called me “sweetie.”

Heidi took me everywhere and never made me feel unwanted. I recall standing on her feet and dancing to Paul Simon in living rooms where she’d babysit other people’s children. I remember the summer days watching the wedding of Luke and Laura on General Hospital. During the school year, we’d trek after class to her friend’s house and gobbled snacks of tortillas with lime juice and salt. Over and over, we'd listened to her 8-track of Neil Sedaka and memorized every word to Calendar Girl and Laughing in the Rain. We ate french fries dipped in ketchup loaded with black pepper and milkshakes at the local Coral Restaurant. Or, we’d get red slushes and jo-jo’s from the Leprechaun grocery deli. We’d roller-skate at the tennis courts and swim at “the dump,” and she never complained about dragging me along.

She called me “sweetie.”

Heidi read books out loud and fabricated stories to keep me entertained. Patiently writing out the words on a small chalkboard, she’d taught me to read before I started elementary school. With these gifts, she had given me the power to escape to other worlds and helped to build my lifelong love of reading.

And, she called me “sweetie.”

She’d let me comb her beautiful hair and put makeup on her face. At night, we’d play a game called “switch” where we took turns tickling each other’s faces or backs, the other shouting “switch” indicating time to roll over in synchronicity and give the other their turn for the safe and loving touch. She’d cuddle me until I fell asleep and hug me close when I’d cried. When things seemed out of control, she’d assure me that things would turn out alright. She worked to protect me.

Yet, she called me “sweetie.”

Many years passed since we last talked—our relationship slipped to each of us going our own ways with our own families. And now Heidi is gone. She is gone. Another victim to the COVID-19 virus.

Today, I struggle with guilt for lost time. And words unspoken. I believe myself an imposter with no right to her memory or legacy. Yet, I know—without a doubt—if I had one more chance to talk to her and apologize for my absence, just how it would go. I really do. She would take me in her arms for a big hug. She would smile and tell me, “Don’t worry about it.” She’d chuckle and say, “I love you, sweetie.” And she’d mean it.

So, please don’t fret your lost loved one. Don’t waste time on guilt. Or regret the words you missed saying. Don’t rethink the way you left things with them. I assure you. If they stood next to you today, you’d already be forgiven.

If it was Heidi, she’d call you “sweetie”, too.

Image shows Heidi at age 16 standing in a kitchen. One arm is around Chris' shoulder and one is around Michele's shoulder.

Written by: Michele Peters Writes

During the height of the pandemic, so many of us lost people we never imagined living without. My brother was one of the...
09/06/2026

During the height of the pandemic, so many of us lost people we never imagined living without. My brother was one of them. A loss that still feels unreal, even now. There was no final goodbye, no funeral, no shared space to hold the weight of what happened. Just silence. Just absence. Just the impossible task of learning how to carry grief without the rituals that help us survive it.

Six years later, the ache of missing him hasn’t faded. It’s woven into my days, in the quiet moments, in the memories that catch me off guard, in the love that continues to grow even though he’s no longer here. Grief doesn’t follow a timeline. It becomes part of who we are. And I’ve learned that this is a road I will walk for the rest of my life.

But in sharing our stories, we create connection. In remembering, we honor. In speaking their names, we keep them close.

To everyone who lost someone during those devastating years: you are not alone. Your grief is valid. Your love is real. And the people you miss, the ones who shaped your world, they are still with you in every breath, every memory, every act of remembrance.

May they rest in peace, knowing they are never forgotten, and that even in their absence, they are loved beyond measure. ❤️💛

Today, we remember José Raul Reyes on what would have been his 73rd birthday. A day his family would have celebrated wit...
09/05/2026

Today, we remember José Raul Reyes on what would have been his 73rd birthday. A day his family would have celebrated with joy, laughter, and togetherness if not for the devastating impact of .

José was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great‑grandfather, and friend. The kind of man whose presence made others feel seen, safe, and deeply loved. His smile carried a quiet magic, capable of lifting spirits and softening even the hardest days. He had a way of making people feel valued simply by being himself.

If not for COVID‑19, his family would be celebrating with him today. Instead, they carry his memory in everything they do: in the way they care for one another, in the laughter that fills their gatherings, and in the strength they summon during moments of grief. His love continues to shape their lives in ways both gentle and profound.

José’s legacy lives not only in the stories they tell, but in the values he embodied, kindness, generosity, and unwavering love. Though his physical absence is deeply felt, his spirit remains a steady source of comfort and guidance for those who knew him.

Today, we honor him with remembrance and gratitude. For the light he brought into the world, for the tenderness he shared so freely, and for the family he nurtured with such devotion.

Please join us in wishing José a happy heavenly birthday and in sending love to his family, who continue to honor him with grace, resilience, and unending love.

José Raul Reyes is remembered and honored in Rami’s Heart COVID‑19 Memorial. 💛🕊

Today marks six years since Simon Mendez passed away on September 5, 2020, due to the devastating impact of . As his fa...
09/05/2026

Today marks six years since Simon Mendez passed away on September 5, 2020, due to the devastating impact of . As his family reflects on this day, their grief is tender, their love unwavering, and their memories full of the warmth he brought into every room.

Simon was the kind of man whose love radiated outward, steady, generous, and deeply rooted in family. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend, he was the heart of his home and a constant presence in the lives of those he cherished.

He shared 51 beautiful years of marriage with his beloved wife, Elida. A love story built on devotion, laughter, and quiet strength. Their bond remains a testament to what it means to love without condition, and it continues to inspire everyone who knows their story.

Simon never missed a chance to cheer on his grandkids at their games, offer support to his children, or show up exactly when he was needed. His gentle spirit, his reliability, and his joyful presence left an imprint that time cannot erase.

Six years later, his family still feels his absence every single day. And yet, in every memory, every story, every echo of his laughter, they find him present, guiding, and deeply loved.

Today, we honor Simon’s life, his legacy, and the love he gave so freely. He is forever remembered in Rami’s Heart COVID‑19 Memorial, where his story continues to shine. 💛🕊

Happy 6th Heavenly Birthday 💛❤️💛🕊 Raymond Harper.Today, we celebrate the life and legacy of Raymond Harper, born on Sept...
09/05/2026

Happy 6th Heavenly Birthday 💛❤️💛🕊 Raymond Harper.

Today, we celebrate the life and legacy of Raymond Harper, born on September 5, 1969, in Lakewood, New Jersey. A man whose joy, laughter, and warmth left an imprint on everyone lucky enough to know him.

To his nieces and nephews, Ray was the “silly uncle," the one who showed up with love, made them laugh until their stomachs hurt, and created memories that still bring comfort today. He had a way of making every moment feel lighter, brighter, and full of possibility.

Ray loved honey w**e, loved to travel, and loved discovering new places especially across Europe, where he felt most alive. His mechanical mind and generous spirit meant he was always helping someone: fixing cars with his brothers right at the dining room table, troubleshooting computer problems, or guiding his nephew as he built his very first computer. Ray gave his time freely, and he gave it with joy.

His laugh, deep, infectious, impossible to forget, still echoes in the hearts of those who loved him. His love for animals, his excitement for trying new restaurants with friends, and his ability to make anyone feel welcome made him unforgettable. Ray was the kind of person who didn’t just enter a room, he lit it up.

Ray passed away on December 15, 2020, due to . Six years later, his absence is still deeply felt, but his memory continues to shine with the same warmth he carried through life. His family, his wife Tracy, and all who loved him continue to honor him through the stories they share and the love he left behind.

Today, we celebrate Ray. His laughter, his kindness, his curiosity, his heart. We hold Tracey and his family close and honor the beautiful legacy he continues to leave.

Raymond Harper is honored and remembered in Rami’s Heart COVID‑19 Memorial. 💛❤️💛🕊

09/05/2026

Today, on International Day of Charity, we celebrate the generosity that keeps communities strong.
For families honoring loved ones lost to COVID‑19, charity means remembrance, connection, and hope. It means their loved one’s story continues to be seen, shared, and honored.

Thank you to everyone who supports Rami’s Heart through donations, volunteer work, sharing posts, or simply holding space for those who are grieving.

Your kindness matters more than you know.

The hardest part of witnessing someone new to grief is knowing they haven’t yet learned the truth we eventually face: th...
09/04/2026

The hardest part of witnessing someone new to grief is knowing they haven’t yet learned the truth we eventually face: this pain isn’t something that simply passes through. It settles in. It reshapes us.

Grief doesn’t disappear. We grow around it. And with time, understanding that helps people stop waiting for the old normal to return and start learning how to live with the love that loss leaves behind.

Happy 5th Heavenly Birthday to Maria E. Cuevas. Born on September 4th, 1955, Maria filled every space she entered with j...
09/04/2026

Happy 5th Heavenly Birthday to Maria E. Cuevas. Born on September 4th, 1955, Maria filled every space she entered with joy, strength, and her unforgettable spirit. Her trips to Guadalajara were her happy place, a reminder of her roots and the memories she cherished deeply.

Maria loved music, and her kitchen was her dance floor, radio blasting, laughter echoing, and a meal always cooking for the people she loved most. Her grandchildren were her pride, and she spoiled them with every favorite dish, every hug, every bit of love she had.

She was strong, hardworking, sassy, and honest in a way that only she could be. Her children carry that same fire and resilience today.

Her family will honor her with a slice of cheesecake, her favorite treat, remembering her laughter, her advice, her warmth, and even those fun trips to the 99 store and Costco where she always found something she “needed,” even if she didn’t.

Maria lost her battle to Covid‑19 on December 10th, 2020, leaving a space that can never be filled. But her love continues to guide her family every single day.

Today and always, we celebrate Maria. She is honored and remembered in Rami’s Heart COVID-19 Memorial.

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1923 Baileys Corner Road
Wall, NJ
07719

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