A Shot In the Arm

I played golf last week with a man, who after he introduced himself, added, "I would just like you to know that I have had both of my vaccines.".   I was very happy to add to his introduction that I have had one of mine.  Vaccination status is becoming the new ice breaker.  We played a very enjoyable round of golf and it almost felt like the old days...you know...2019.  We were almost instantly more comfortable being around each other knowing that the chances of either of us getting sick enough to go to the hospital or die was now significantly limited.  Liberating.

Today, I went to my local mailing center to mail the dreaded tax return.  When I entered I overheard the owner chatting with a customer who was telling him about the "day after" affects of the vaccine and what to expect.  We know each other, so I asked when he got his vaccination and he said it was earlier that day.  He was smiling and proudly shared that his wife would be getting hers on Sunday.  We looked at each other over our masks with shared hope and slight relief.  

The only kind of shot I enjoy!
Birdie cheers!

I have never in my life looked forward to getting a shot... unless it is in a glass (or paper cup) and contains Fireball.  And maybe the morphine when I broke my arm was a welcome shot in the arm but I am pretty sure I was delusional with pain at the time.  I got my first ever flu shot last year and only because my pregnant daughter asked me to get it before we visited.  I try my best to avoid needles of any kind...until now.  I signed up on every waiting list I could get my name on for any Covid vaccine within a 50 mile radius.  I checked almost every day for new locations giving vaccines.  I was on a mission!  TJ got both of his earlier because he is over 65.  I am not...can you see me smiling?  I had to work a little harder to get on a list...any list.  A couple of weeks ago I finally made my way through and go an appointment for my first vaccine!  I have never been so glad to have high blood pressure, apparently a health risk for Covid.  I bravely showed up two weeks ago for my first Covid vaccine.  A few waves of chills that night and a very sore arm for a day and I am one shot closer to being fully vaccinated.

Thank you Walmart! 
Cold shoulder shirt resurrected for the occasion.

Coincidentally or ironically, a couple of days after my shot in the arm,  I received a text message from one of the waitlists with a link to get an appointment if I still needed a vaccine.  Later the same week I was contacted by my doctor's office, whom I had contacted very early on to let them know if and when vaccines were available for my group that I wanted one, they were now giving vaccines if I still needed one.  I guess it was finally my turn on several fronts.  Moral of the story, register on any list you can!  

Every day more and more people are being vaccinated!  On the one year anniversary of the day the world changed due to the Covid pandemic I find myself one step closer to hopefully not getting or giving Covid.  I also find myself voluntarily wearing a mask...come on admit it...on March 11, 2020 were you wearing a mask everywhere?   Did you have an extensive mask wardrobe?  A favorite mask?  For me this role has evolved.  Some of my early Covid favorites are no longer in the rotation. I now have a mask in the car, the golf bag, my purse and the pockets of many jackets.  There are a couple masks I will always associate with our summer of National Parks...fond memories.  I have the ones that my glasses don't fog up with, the ones that don't make my nose itch, the ones that don't wear out my ears when I wear them for a long time and the cute ones that can only be worn for a short time and then the "go to" masks which change places weekly.  

The biggest vaccine benefit has been freely reuniting with my daughter and her family here in town.  She and her husband are fully vaccinated, along with TJ and now that I have one shot down we have been able to be together with them and our two grandchildren.  We missed them so much and are beside ourselves with joy every time they come over and run into our arms!  It sure has been a long year!