Almost There

Looming disaster is stressful. Looming destruction is exhausting. When Dad’s healthcare system sent a text offering him the Covid-19 vaccination, I jumped at the opportunity. Dad’s senior community shut down nearly a year ago, now allowing only restricted visits to two designated caregivers per resident. Rollout of Covid-19 vaccinations signals the beginning of the end for Covid-19. I couldn’t be happier. I snapped up the earliest available appointment date, Monday, January 4th .

As we entered the hospital that day, I danced and sang my way through the registration maze. Reaching the vaccination nurse and seating Dad beside her, I began taking pictures with my cell phone. During the 30-minute observation period after the injection, I took more pictures. Eventually Dad said, “my goodness” to my request that he smile for one more picture. I couldn’t resist; this was a monumental day that I wanted to memorialize. He would be safe now. The world was on the verge of eliminating the Covid-19 risk!

Only then did it dawn on me that I have been on pins and needles since the novel coronavirus began sweeping through the country, particularly rampant in senior facilities. Four times I have tested negative for the coronavirus, each time requesting a test to make sure my allergy symptoms were not coronavirus symptoms. Adhering to coronavirus protocol, I always wear a mask when around Dad - even when we’re outside. During most of 2020, I took the most severe measure, limiting all personal contact with him. The thought of not having to worry about Dad contracting Covid-19 is a huge relief. I’ve been shouldering this burden much too long.