One Shot Closer

Just when the Caterpillar thought its life was over, it became a butterfly.

Annoymous

Life has not been easy this past year, but I can honestly say today I feel a lot more at ease. I finally feel like there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I did not realize just how stressed I was until the lady gave me my first shot of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to combat COVID 19 on Saturday, 2/20/21. Contrary to popular belief it does not have SARS-COV-2 and cannot give a person COVID-19. It is a mixture of various ingredients that may prevent it. FDA has authorized the vaccines to be used for emergency use to prevent COVID-19 in individuals 16 +. Even if you already have had COVID getting the vaccine is important because you could get it again. 

On 2/20/21 I took my father to get his shot at his scheduled appointment time. I did not think I would be able to get mine. It was 12 in the afternoon and I have heard there have been issues getting vaccinations to various states. None the less, I felt there was nothing wrong with asking. I let them know that I am a social worker and am a diabetic on an insulin pump. I also take care of my dad. They let me know that they had some extras that they were able to give out and I might receive one. Waiting in my car behind several other cars getting registered I felt as I had won the lottery. I could hardly believe it. I did not think it was real. I kept thinking I was going to start filling out the paperwork and they are going to say, “Just kidding.” Luckily, they did not. I could have hugged and kissed the whole crew that helped me. I was so grateful. 

A tear of joy ran down my face as she put the needle in my arm. I have made the conscious choice to remain in the house this past year and only leaving on rare occasions. I have not been able to hug family or friends let alone see their faces. I may own a home with my parents, but we have not been able to really hug a lot this past year as various people at my dad’s work came down with COVID (some more severe than others). One man lost his father while he ended up in the hospital twice and could not go to the funeral. 

COVID has impacted us all and it is here to stay for a while. It has turned everything upside down. I live in yoga pants and no longer wear make-up. My hair is growing out to its natural color which I hate, so I have tried to dye it purple. I am not even sure I could function in the real world now. 

I am thankful that I have a job that allows me to work from home, have food on the table, and did not have to rush my father to the hospital when he got COVID. I am thankful that my grandmother, Uncle, mother, and now father and I have been able to get our COVID vaccines. I am grateful to know that if I or any of them got COVID, the results would not be fatal. However, we still need to be careful and follow CDC guidelines of wearing masks and being 6 feet apart as we could still be carriers of the virus and pass it on. There will always be tough times, but there is always something positive and hopeful to cling on to if one looks hard enough. This week I feel like I got my life back and can worry a little less. I can enjoy the world around me and know that those I love are okay. I am okay. Together we can make a difference and inspire hope by continuing to help others get vaccinated and follow CDC guidelines.

It took my dad 5 hours on the computer to finally get an appointment time. It was unbelievably complicated and frustrating for no reason, but you must work with what they give you. My dad is computer literate but I can’t help but think of the challenge for those that do not even have an email address. My uncle spent 6 hours on the phone on hold before someone answered in order to schedule an appointment for my grandmother. When the general public is ready to make appointments, we are going to volunteer to help those that need assistance with the computer scheduling. I hope I can help others feel the relief that the vaccine means to returning to ordinary family life. My life has become a lot more hopeful and I hope yours does too.

Moral: 1) Hope inspires the impossible to be possible. 2) Part of being human is not only doing something to protect ourselves but to look out for others. 

Feel free to comment below or email zsmisadventures@gmail.com and your story may end up in a future blog.