Cities on a Hill

by Josh Urban

Cities on a 21 isolated months with the elderly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Two weeks is a long time when you're ninety. While America spent two weeks to flatten the curve of COVID-19, then two more, and then two more, indefinitely, the elderly in nursing homes missed holidays, family, and their last months.
Some were content, others went insane. Many died alone.
All were inspirational.
This is a witnessing of their days.
Josh Urban spent 21 months working in a retirement home during the global COVID-19 pandemic. The residents became brothers in arms, their grace changing him forever.

226 pages, Paperback

Published April 18, 2023

Reviews

[Greg Easterling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poignant true story about working in a nursing home during the Covid lockdowns. Josh describes the human toll the lockdowns took on residents and staff with incredible tenderness and insight. He shares the dignity with which many of them faced isolation, loneliness, and death in a beautiful, heartfelt way.

Josh is a true philosopher, penning so many deep thoughts and observations that I continually had to stop reading and digest it for a while. Excellent read.

[Camden Mason · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent read on a unique perspective about the Covid-19 Pandemic. This is a convicting testimony that depicts the struggle of some of the most isolated people in our society, while also highlighting the resiliency of the human spirit. I am very appreciative to have begun to get to know and befriend the author, who further accentuates the authenticity of this book. Will be reading again, and would strongly recommend.

[Chelsea Barnwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! It's easy to read with short chapters with a few poems sprinkled in between. It is a very touching tribute to the elderly who experienced extreme isolation during COVID lockdowns. There are a few hints at the author's political stance, but the focus is primarily on the people he encountered. It honors both the elderly and the nurses and staff who cared for them.

[Kelly .... · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is one of the most heartfelt and beautiful pieces I have read in a long time. This story follows Josh through months of what it looked like for the elderly in nursing homes during the grueling months of COVID-19. Josh’s writing is impeccable. You don’t just feel like you are reading words on a page, you feel like you are immersed in a piece of art. These stories will have you captivated until the end. Absolutely a wonderful piece. This book will make you smile, laugh, cry, and really think about life. Highly recommend this read to everyone.